Who is Doug Collins? Veterans Affairs Secretary named designated survivor for Trump's speech to congress

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been named the designated survivor for President Donald Trump's speech to congress.

Updated on: Mar 5, 2025, 07:51:17 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been named the designated survivor for President Donald Trump's speech to Congress. During major government events, a "designated survivor" is selected to remain in a secure location to ensure continuity of leadership in the event of a catastrophic incident or mass casualty situation. Collins will watch the speech from a separate, secure area while President Trump and the rest of the presidential line of succession will be at the same venue.

Doug Collins has been named the designated survivor for Trump's speech. (Getty Images via AFP)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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