Gates To Be Designated Successor On Inauguration Day

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be sitting out the inaugural at an undisclosed location because he has been selected to lead the U.S. government if disaster strikes the inauguration.
Charles Dharapak / The Associated Press

Gates To Be Designated Successor On Inauguration Day
-- CBS News

If the unthinkable happens on Inauguration Day, Robert Gates, the defense secretary, will be available to assume the reins of government.

"In order to ensure continuity of government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been designated by the outgoing Administration, with the concurrence of the incoming Administration, to serve as the designated successor during Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20th," White House press Secretary Dana Perino said.

According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, if the president is unable to fulfill his duties, the Vice President succeeds him, followed by the Speaker of the House, the President pro tempore of the Senate (traditionally the senior member of the majority party), The Secretary of the Treasury, and then the Secretary of Defense. (The succession order continues from there – You can see the full list here.)

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More News On Robert Gates Being The Designated Successor

Gates to sit out Obama inauguration -- AFP
Defense Secretary Gates to be 'designated successor' Tuesday -- CNN Political Thicker
Defense Secretary Robert Gates to be Obama's 'designated successor' -- L.A> Times
No Gates at inaugural, but not a snub -- Air Force Times
Sec. Gates will be tomorrow's 'designated successor' -- USA Today
U.S. defense chief Gates not to attend presidential inauguration ceremony -- China View