California Congressman skips Trump’s State of the Union as security precaution
February 25, 2026: As US President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress for his State of the Union, California Congressman Mike Thompson was notably absent after being selected as the designated survivor. The longstanding Cold War-era security practice ensures continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic attack on the Capitol. Thompson said he would watch the speech from an undisclosed location, while his guest, Napa City Councilmember Bernie Narvaez, attended in the House chamber.
Traditionally, a designated survivor is chosen to remain at a secure site while the president, vice president, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and congressional leaders gather in one place. If an emergency were to occur, the designated survivor would be next in the line of succession. During the address, Trump was flanked by Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, as members of the Cabinet, Joint Chiefs of Staff and diplomatic corps filled the chamber.
This year’s speech, themed “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected,” marked Trump’s first State of the Union before the 119th Congress. The president is expected to focus heavily on the economy and proposed tax cuts, with recent polls showing cost of living as a top voter concern. While political messaging dominated the evening, the quiet presence of a designated survivor highlighted the enduring safeguards built into the American constitutional system.