ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumBiden · D

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officials of the United States Agency for International Development To Act as Administrator

This memorandum establishes a new order of succession for who may serve as acting Administrator of USAID when the Administrator is unavailable, listing the Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources first, followed by the Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, then Assistant Administrators by seniority and alphabetical order. It revokes a 2008 Bush-era memorandum on the same topic and preserves presidential discretion to depart from this succession order.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 2601

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for USAID Administrator
  • Revoke December 9, 2008 memorandum
  • Exclude individuals serving in acting capacity from succession
  • Require eligibility under Federal Vacancies Reform Act
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from memorandum
  • Direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • New succession order takes effect upon publication
  • 2008 memorandum revoked immediately

Near term (90d)

  • Potential activation if Administrator vacancy occurs

Long term

  • Standing succession framework for USAID leadership continuity

Risks & tensions

  • Potential ambiguity if multiple Assistant Administrators appointed same day—alphabetical tiebreaker is unusual
  • Exclusion of acting officials may create gaps if multiple positions vacant
  • Presidential discretion clause (Sec. 2(c)) allows override, creating uncertainty about actual practice
  • Revocation of 2008 order changes prior established succession; reason for change not stated
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officials of the United States Agency for International Development To Act as Administrator · Executive Orders