Democrats Select Their “Designated Survivor” for State of the Union Address

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially selected a designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union address.

In apress release, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) announced that Rep. Jeffries had selected him as the Democrats’ Congressional “designated survivor.”

As a designated survivor, Thompson will watch the State of the Union address from a secure, undisclosed location to preserve congressional leadership in the event of a catastrophic emergency.

Later in the press release, Thompson used his selection as the designated survivor to attack President Trump.

I’ve been selected as a designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union, so I won’t be there in person, but I’ll be watching. Americans deserve accountability for the militarization of ICE, terrorization of our communities and killing of American citizens.pic.twitter.com/ig3cFdQcCV

— Rep. Mike Thompson (@RepThompson)February 23, 2026

Per Mike Thompson’sPress Release:

Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced he was selected by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union address. Thompson will watch the speech from a secure, undisclosed location off campus. Thompson released the following statement on what he demands to hear from the President tomorrow:

“Since the day he took office, this president has raised costs for hardworking families, unleashed ICE to terrorize our communities, and threatened unlawful military attacks on foreign countries. He’s made Americans’ lives and our democracy worse off.

“President Trump is unpopular because he’s failed to lower costs, failed to fire Kristi Noem, and failed to follow the rule of law. Americans demand answers when he addresses the nation. We will keep holding him to account in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the court of public opinion.”

Source: The Gateway Pundit