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EO 13472Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13472

Executive Branch Responsibilities With Respect To Orders of Succession

This executive order requires all executive branch agencies to establish, maintain, and update formal orders of succession for their leadership positions. Agencies needing presidential action must submit draft succession plans within 30 days, while agencies with independent authority must maintain their plans and submit copies to White House and homeland security officials within 30 days and within 7 days of any subsequent revisions.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 53353

Impact dates

  1. Agencies requiring presidential action must submit draft proposed order of succession to Counsel to the President

  2. Agencies with independent authority must provide copy of existing order of succession to Counsel to the President, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and OMB Director

  3. Agencies with independent authority must provide copy of final revised order of succession to same three officials within 7 days of issuance

Key directives

  • Each agency must establish, maintain, and revise orders of succession
  • Agencies requiring presidential action must draft proposed order and submit to Counsel to the President within 30 days
  • Agencies with independent legal authority must establish and maintain succession orders per applicable law and homeland security guidance
  • All agencies must submit proposed revisions to Counsel to the President before implementation
  • Agencies with independent authority must provide copy of order to Counsel to the President, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and OMB Director within 30 days and within 7 days of any final revision
  • Proposed orders requiring presidential action must be submitted to OMB per EO 11030 after White House Counsel review

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • EO takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

  • Agencies submit draft/proposed orders of succession to White House Counsel (30 days)
  • Agencies with independent authority provide copies of existing orders to designated White House officials (30 days)
  • Agencies with independent authority must submit revised orders within 7 days of final revision

Long term

  • Ongoing maintenance and revision of succession orders
  • Continuity of government preparedness

Risks & tensions

  • No enforcement mechanism specified for non-compliance
  • Vague 'as necessary' standard for revisions may lead to inconsistent updating
  • EO explicitly preserves President's Vacancies Reform Act authority, creating potential overlap or tension with agency succession plans
  • Dependent on 'availability of appropriations' may limit implementation
  • No private right of action created, limiting accountability
Executive Order 13472: Executive Branch Responsibilities With Respect To Orders of Succession · Executive Orders