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 the line of succession for acting Director of National Intelligence, specifying six officers who would assume DNI duties if both the DNI and Principal Deputy DNI become unable to serve. It supersedes a 2005 memorandum on the same topic.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 58869

Impact dates

  1. Supersede December 20, 2005 memorandum

Key directives

  • Establish ordered succession list for acting DNI
  • Preserve Principal Deputy DNI authority under National Security Act of 1947
  • Disqualify acting officeholders from succession by virtue of acting status
  • Require eligibility under Federal Vacancies Reform Act
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from memorandum
  • Supersede December 20, 2005 memorandum
  • Publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Line of succession takes effect upon publication

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Continuity of intelligence leadership during vacancies or incapacity

Risks & tensions

  • Potential ambiguity if multiple succession triggers occur simultaneously
  • Presidential discretion in Section 3(c) could override established order in crisis
  • No individual in acting capacity can succeed, creating possible gaps
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to Act as Director of National Intelligence · Executive Orders