Breaking down Biden's 2024 State of the Union address 14:59. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was the designated survivor chosen to sit out Thursday's State of the Union, a White House official ...

A "designated survivor" from President Biden's cabinet will be kept in a safe place during the State of the Union address as part of a practice that dates back to the Cold War.

The tradition calls for a member of the president's cabinet to be absent from the State of the Union, in case a catastrophic disaster strikes the U.S. Capitol.

A government official is chosen as the designated survivor during high-profile political events to maintain the presidential line of succession in the event of a catastrophe. Here's how it works.

Biden faces divided Congress in State of the Union 02:49. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is the designated survivor for the State of the Union, or the person who will take over as president if there ...

The Capitol is seen ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ...

A government official is chosen as the designated survivor during high-profile political events to maintain the presidential line of succession in the event of a catastrophe. Here's how it works.

The Capitol is seen ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ...

The tradition calls for a member of the president's cabinet to be absent from the State of the Union, in case a catastrophic disaster strikes the U.S. Capitol.

The tradition calls for a member of the president's cabinet to be absent from the State of the Union, in case a catastrophic disaster strikes the U.S. Capitol.