ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officers of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence To Act as Director of National Intelligence

This memorandum establishes a formal order of succession for the Director of National Intelligence, specifying which ODNI officers would act as DNI if both the DNI and Principal Deputy DNI are unable to serve. The seven named officers are ranked in priority from Deputy Director for Management through Chief Information Officer.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 76375

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for DNI position
  • Name seven specific ODNI officers in priority order
  • Preserve Principal Deputy DNI's statutory authority under National Security Act of 1947
  • Exclude acting officials from serving as acting DNI
  • Reserve presidential discretion to depart from this designation
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Order of succession takes effect upon publication

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Establishes permanent succession framework for DNI position

Risks & tensions

  • Succession depth raises questions about intelligence leadership continuity in crisis
  • Presidential discretion in section 4(b) may create uncertainty about automaticity of succession
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence To Act as Director of National Intelligence · Executive Orders