WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 20, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch on Friday served as one several governmental designated survivors, so he did not attend Pres. Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The designated survivor for the executive branch of the government was Jeh Johnson, secretary of homeland security.
Hatch was the Senate’s designated survivor. A small group of key officials is asked to stay away from major governmental functions in case events are the targets of mass terrorist attacks.
Hatch, likes the other designated survivors, stayed away from the ceremony, remaining at an undisclosed location, to serve in case top government leaders should die in an attack.
“At the request of President Donald Trump, I am honored to fulfill the role of designated presidential successor during the inauguration,” Hatch said in a prepared statement.
“As much as I would have liked to participate in the ceremony and festivities, I am honored to perform this important constitutional duty, which ensures the continuity of government.”
