Memorandum on Providing an Order of Succession Within the Central Intelligence Agency
Issued 2019-06-14 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This memorandum establishes the chain of command at the Central Intelligence Agency if the Director dies, resigns, or cannot perform their duties. It lists twelve positions in order, starting with the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, followed by various Deputy Directors overseeing operations, analysis, science and technology, digital innovation, and support. The list also includes the CIA's General Counsel and several senior CIA representatives stationed in the United Kingdom and on the East and West Coasts.
The memorandum affects the CIA's leadership structure by ensuring continuity of operations during transitions. It operates under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, which governs how federal agencies fill vacant leadership positions temporarily. The memorandum specifies that someone already serving in an acting capacity cannot move up this succession ladder, and the President retains the option to choose someone else if permitted by law.
This action matters because intelligence agencies require clear leadership at all times, particularly during unexpected vacancies. By establishing this formal succession order, the memorandum removes ambiguity about who takes charge during leadership transitions at one of the nation's primary intelligence organizations. It replaced a similar succession order from 2016.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Providing an Order of Succession Within the Central Intelligence Agency") provides direction to executive branch agencies. Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 Memorandum on Providing an Order of Succession Within the Central Intelligence Agency June 14, 2019 Memorandum for the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Subject: Providing an Order of Succession Within the Central Intelligence Agency By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that: Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this memorandum and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officers of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (D/CIA), during any period in which the D/CIA has died, resigned, or otherwise becomes unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of D/CIA: (a) Deputy Director, CIA; (b) Chief Operating Officer, CIA; (c) Deputy Director of CIA for Operations; (d) Deputy Director of CIA for Analysis; (e) Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Techn