Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Homeland Security

Executive Order Number

14135

President

Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Signed

January 3, 2025

Published

January 13, 2025

Source

Federal Register

Original Document

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-13/pdf/2025-00603.pdf

AI-Generated Summary

Executive Order 14135: Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Homeland Security

Purpose

The purpose of Executive Order 14135, issued on January 3, 2025, is to establish an order of succession for the position of Secretary of Homeland Security. This order ensures continuity of leadership within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the event that the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Management, and any other designated officers are unable to perform their duties.

Key Actions or Directives

• Order of Succession: The order specifies that the following officials will assume the role of acting Secretary in the listed sequence:

1. Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
2. Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
3. Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
4. Region 3 Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

• Exceptions and Conditions: The order includes conditions under which individuals listed in the succession order may not act as Secretary, such as if they are serving in an acting capacity or if they are not eligible under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. Additionally, the President retains the discretion to depart from this order in designating an acting Secretary.

• Revocation: The order revokes Executive Order 13753 and modifies Executive Order 13286 to reflect the new succession plan.

Significant Changes to Policy or Law

• Revocation of Previous Orders: The order revokes a previous executive order (EO 13753) and amends another (EO 13286), thereby updating the succession plan within DHS.
• Clarification of Succession: It provides a clear and updated sequence of succession, which is crucial for maintaining operational continuity in the event of leadership vacancies.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The primary impact is on the Department of Homeland Security, as it now has a defined order of succession that ensures leadership continuity. Other government agencies may be indirectly affected by changes in DHS leadership.
• Citizens: The general public may benefit from the assurance of uninterrupted leadership and decision-making within DHS, particularly in emergency situations.
• International Relations: While the order itself does not directly affect international relations, the stability and continuity of leadership in DHS could have implications for national security and international cooperation.

Stakeholders

• Department of Homeland Security: The primary stakeholder, as the order directly affects its leadership structure.
• Current and Potential Acting Secretaries: Individuals listed in the order of succession are directly impacted by their potential roles as acting Secretary.
• Federal Government: Other branches and agencies of the federal government may be affected by changes in DHS leadership.
• Citizens: The public has an interest in the stability and continuity of leadership within DHS, which is responsible for national security and emergency management.

Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The order is issued under the authority of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, ensuring it aligns with existing federal law regarding the appointment of acting officials.
• Constitutional: The order is consistent with the President's constitutional authority to appoint and manage executive branch officials.
• Political: The revocation and amendment of previous executive orders could reflect shifts in policy priorities or administrative preferences, though the order itself is largely administrative in nature.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.