Sen. Chuck Grassley, 92, skipped White House Correspondents’ Dinner to protect line of succession — was briefly 3rd to assume US presidency
Senator Chuck Grassley, 92, skipped the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner to serve as a de facto designated survivor amid security concerns. A shooting at the event by alleged assassin Cole Allen heightened fears for the safety of top government officials. Grassley, third in the presidential line of succession, stated he was fully prepared to assume leadership if necessary.
- ▪Chuck Grassley, at 92, is the Senate's president pro tempore and third in line to the presidency.
- ▪A gunman, Cole Allen, opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner targeting President Trump and other top officials.
- ▪Grassley remained in Iowa during the event and affirmed he was 'absolutely' ready to run the country in case of a catastrophe.
- ▪Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, and several Cabinet members were present at the dinner and quickly moved to safety.
- ▪Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, also lower in the succession line, did not attend the dinner.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
US News exclusive Self-designated survivor: Chuck Grassley, 92, skipped White House dinner in case he had to run the country By Geoff Earle Published May 2, 2026, 11:52 a.m. ET Sen. Chuck Grassley gave the White House Correspondents’ Dinner a hard pass, staying home to protect the line of succession from catastrophe. The 92-year-old Iowa Republican is third in line to the presidency — the Senate’s president pro tempore is behind only the vice president and speaker of the House — and the highest-ranking person in the succession to skip Saturday night’s near-tragic shindig. Deranged shooter Cole Allen opened fire at the DC Hilton gala as he tried to take out the president and top officials, authorities said.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at US News – Latest Breaking Headlines, Photos & Videos | New York Post.
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