Designated Survivor (2016–2019): Season 1, Episode 2 - The First Day - full transcript
Hours after the attack on the Capitol, President Kirkman steps into his role as Commander-in-Chief in the midst of chaos and confusion.
NARRATOR: Previously
on Designated Survivor...
Capitol's been attacked.
Eagle is gone,
Congress, the Cabinet.
Sir, you are now the President.
Some bad people
did something bad tonight,
LEO KIRKMAN: and it's Dad's job
to make sure we're all safe.
I've been with Secretary Kirkman's
staff for three years.
It's President Kirkman.
And you're not authorized.
Do we know who's responsible
for this?
Still too early to determine.
AARON SHORE:
We got to give them something,
the whole world is watching.
We have a Housing
and Urban Development Secretary
running the free world.
You're talking about removing
a sitting president.
MALE VOICE:
We got something over here!
Easy-
- What do you see?
- It's clear. Bomb's a dud.
You don't take credit for something
until you're done, right?
So, what if they're
just getting started?
-(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
-(MEN YELLING)
HANNAH WELLS: There
was no chatter.
JASON ATWOOD: Hannah,
I understand
there was no chatter,
but we still need to check
all of the usual suspects.
Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Al-Sakar.
Where are we
with local law enforcement?
I've coordinated with DC police,
Secret Service, Metro and Capitol.
That's good. Now, remember.
The high-value target list
only starts with the White House.
We need to heighten security
at every location.
Already taken care of.
-(MEN CHATTERING)
-(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(MECHANICAL WHIRRING)
- You taking that bomb to Andrews?
- JASON: Yeah.
Top brass wants everything
cataloged under one roof.
MALE VOICE: Deputy Director!
We need you over here!
All right.
MALE VOICE:
All right, pull that out!
-(MEN CONTINUE CHATTERING)
-(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
TOM KRKMAN:
My fellow Americans,
tonight our way of life
came under attack.
This act of cowardice was meant
to cripple our nation.
But as before,
America will show the world
that we will not bow down
to fear,
that we will fight back,
that we will persevere.
NEWS ANCHOR: And this was
President Tom Kirkman's
first address to the nation.
It came just two hours
after he was unceremoniously
sworn in as our new president.
Unfortunately,
last night's speech
did little to calm
the frayed nerves...
Words aside, Kirkman is an unelected,
untested HUD secretary
at a time where the world
is looking for leadership.
...remains of the Capitol,
searching for both survivors
and answers to the questions
all Americans are asking.
How did this happen
and will life ever be the sa...
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- AGENT: Morning, Mr. President.
- Good morning.
- West Wing, right or left?
- This way, to the right, sir.
- Thank you very much.
- Phoenix on the move.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
My wife didn't want me
to come in today.
She's afraid the White House
is next.
I was supposed to go last night
but I couldn't get a sitter.
FEMALE VOICE:
What are we gonna do?
I don't even know who to report to.
Melissa's dead, everyone's dead.
AARON: Mr. President.
- Aaron.
- Good morning.
We have a briefing waiting
for you in the Oval, sir.
- Mr. President.
- Wyatt, right?
- Yes, sir.
- Thank you.
Sir, I just have to warn you...
this might be a bit more hectic
than you're used to.
I understand.
I think we'll be fine.
ENERGY SECRETARY:
We've added increased security
to our oil and gas pipelines,
power grids, refineries,
chemical storage tanks.
Mass transit is still on lock down.
Planes and trains.
Immigration remains frozen.
Sir, you have to authorize
we close the banks immediately.
We can't do that. We cannot keep
the American people from their money.
Forty-eight hours
without Bank of America
is better than a 48-month depression.
If everyone withdraws money
at the same time,
the banks will collapse.
Where are we at
with the bombing?
Deputy Director Atwood
will be briefing us soon,
but we're looking at groups
with the skills and resources
to do something like this.
Hezbollah, AI-Qaeda,
North Korea, RGB.
Well, what's this about violence
in Michigan?
We're getting reports
of flare-ups in Dearborn.
Police targeting
the local Muslim community.
Yeah, but what I want to know is how
did the terrorists bring explosives
into the Capitol Building
in the first place.
We're working on that.
In the meantime, we have to go
after everyone we suspect.
We go after them,
after their families
-any way we can.
- I'm sorry,
are you talking
about enhanced interrogation?
They destroyed our Capitol.
I'm saying we do
whatever we have to do.
(OVERLAPPING ARGUING)
MALE VOICE:
Can I just get a moment?
Everybody, why don't we just focus
on one thing at a time?
(ARGUING CONTINUES)
Please, excuse me.
Please, can you just give me
a moment?
(SIGHS DEEPLY)
Tom...
I'm sorry. Mr. President.
I just needed to find
somewhere quiet.
AARON: Yeah, admittedly,
it got a little loud in there.
Loud?
A Caps game is loud, Aaron.
Back there in the Oval Office,
that was chaos.
We need order, a system,
or this is never gonna work.
We need to get this government
up and running.
We need a cabinet and fast.
That's a good idea, sir,
but first order of business
is going to be naming
your Chief of Staff.
Seriously?
You're making a play right now?
Enough!
I'm not ready to make that decision.
What I need is both of you
to step up
and help me put together a cabinet.
Tell me you can do that.
- Yes, Mr. President.
- Of course.
Good. For now, we're gonna close
the banks.
ATMs and credit
will still be available.
I want you to monitor
the situation in Michigan
and keep me up to speed
on the investigation
into the bombing.
The American people
want to know who did this,
-and so do I.
- Sir.
Also...
later today, I want to see
the Capitol Building,
or what's left of it.
EMILY RHODES: Are you sure
that's a good idea right now, sir?
No, no, no. That's exactly
what you need, sir. A do-over.
Last night's speech
didn't exactly put minds at ease.
But you, sir, at the site,
now that sends a message.
- It shows a...
- Respect, Aaron.
It shows respect.
It's not a photo-op.
- Whatever you say, sir.
- Good.
Let's get back to work.
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(DOG BARKING)
(POLICE SIREN BLARES)
- Sir. Hold it right there.
- Morning, what's going on?
- What's in the backpack?
- What?
- Your backpack. What's in it?
- Just my stuff for work.
- Papers and stuff.
- Where do you work?
- I work at the White House.
- Really? The White House?
Yeah, you know,
where the president sleeps.
You being a wise ass?
I'd like to know,
why you stopped me.
Why don't you tell us where you live
and show us some ID first.
I live right there.
It's cold and it's cramped,
but I can walk to my gym
so I got that going for me.
Seth Wright.
Is that your real name?
According to my mother.
COP: Keith. This looks good.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Mr. Wright.
Thank you.
Yeah, stay safe.
Look, I got to go.
Tell Mom I love her.
Okay, cabinet members.
What about Blanchard?
- For State?
- He qualified three years as deputy.
He also has two
secret Facebook accounts
and an affinity for coeds
who look after his kids.
I'm thinking Garfield's our guy.
No, think again. He's made more
than a few enemies on the Hill.
Emily, I hate to break it to you
but there is no Hill anymore.
Oh, my God.
There's no Hill anymore.
- Something happened in Michigan.
- What?
- Mr. President.
- You don't need to get up
every time I walk into a room.
I'm not the Queen.
No, sir.
Virtually no resemblance.
I'm sorry to interrupt
but I actually came in to apologize.
- Apologize?
- Last night, you wrote me
a home run of a speech.
This morning, it seems like the press
wished anybody else delivered it
but me.
Mr. President, maybe
the country's just not ready, yet...
to come together behind anyone,
even with the best speech
in the world.
- Maybe.
-(DOOR OPENS)
Mr. President.
There's something you need to see.
ANCHOR: Police imposing a curfew
on predominantly Muslim neighborhoods
and ordering residents
to obey it or face arrest.
These are citizens who have
not been charged with any crimes,
who are simply targeted because
of their religious beliefs.
The American
Civil Liberties Union
denounced the actions
by Dearborn police
- as a violation of an individual's...
- Mr. President, we're ready.
basic civil rights.
But in the wake of the attack
on the Capitol,
some are saying this is just the type
of policing this country needs.
- Governor?
- Royce.
Governor Royce, how are you?
About as expected.
There's a lot to manage here,
as you can imagine.
TOM: I know
and I want to help.
I've seen reports
that the police in Dearborn
are rounding up members
of the Muslim community.
Yes, I'm aware.
Well, like I said, we'd like to
help you stop the police.
Why would I stop the police?
They're acting on my orders.
- Your orders?
- That's correct.
GOVERNOR ROYCE:
I don't know if you know this,
but I have the largest Muslim
population in the country, here.
That doesn't mean
they're doing anything wrong
or
that they've been radicalized.
No, but I'm willing
to bet they know someone who is.
Governor, you can't target
an innocent population
because you're scared.
- You have a responsibility...
- To all my citizens.
And my first and only priority
is to make sure they're safe,
something that Washington,
if there even
is such a place anymore,
has proven incapable of doing.
Governor,
the federal government...
Was effectively snuffed out,
last night.
There is no Congress,
there is no Supreme Court.
When it comes to the people
of Michigan,
I am the highest authority
and you have none over me.
With all due respect, sir,
I am the President.
Not mine.
So you'll have to excuse me,
Mr. Kirkman.
While you're busy learning
how to become President,
I've got 1O million citizens
to protect.
Governor? Governor Royce? Hello?
(DOOR OPENS)
-(CHATTERING)
-(PHONE RINGING)
Sir, you should know
that messages of support
continue to pour in
from heads of state around the world.
We should go over which calls
you want to return personally.
I would think all of them.
How many calls are we talking about?
About 175, sir.
- Maybe we should prioritize.
- Mr. President.
I want you to know
that I don't care
what the so-called pundits
are saying.
I was very moved
by your words last night.
Well, thank you.
Excuse me, but who are you?
Mr. President, this is congresswoman
Kimble Hookstraten.
- Congresswoman.
- Yes, I was last night's
other designated survivor.
Other designated...
- Excuse us, please.
- Thank you, sir.
There are two
designated survivors?
Yeah,
the Republicans chose someone
to sit out of the State of the Union,
as well.
So they'd be represented.
Smart.
Hey, what do you know
about Hookstraten?
You were
on Senator Carlyle's staff
when they were both
on Ways and Means, weren't you?
- Stalker.
- Come on.
She's smart. Very smart.
Third-generation D.C. blue blood,
nine years, Republican whip,
knows every detail
about every player in town.
So you're saying she's a lot more
experienced than the president?
Come on. Let's go get Governor Royce
on the phone.
Four hundred
and thirty-five representatives,
One hundred senators
and nine justices.
And now it's just down
to the two of us.
I know. You don't know
whether to feel ashamed
or grateful to be alive.
- Apologetic.
- Sir?
To the American people
for being stuck
with me as their leader.
I mean, let's face it.
The pundits might be right.
Mr. President, do you know what
I did this morning, sir?
I cried and then I prayed.
Do you know when the last time
I did those two things together was?
9/11?
Nobody thought we could get
through it back then, but we did.
And nobody thinks we can get
through it now, but we will.
This is your house now.
So make it your own.
Whatever you need, just ask.
Republican, Democrat, Independent.
It doesn't matter anymore.
We're all Americans today.
Thank you, Congresswoman.
- Kimble, please.
- Okay.
Kimble, later this afternoon,
I'm going to the Capitol site
to thank the first responders.
I think it would be
a nice show of unity
if we were
to do that together.
What do you say?
I'd be honored, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRS)
(MEN CHATTERING)
Ronnie, is that
the unexploded munition?
Yep.
- What's it telling us?
- Russian anti-tank mine,
likely pulled from the ground
in Afghanistan.
But look here.
The guts are cannibalized.
RONNIE: Cyrillic on the outside
but the lock ring is Pakistani
and the firing pin is newer,
probably Iranian.
Well, that is consistent
with what we've seen
from
some Jihadist terror groups.
Well, we should be able
to point the finger directly
when we get the lab results
from the other bombs.
Right, but this one,
why didn't this one go off?
Any number of reasons.
Russian red wire
to Iranian green doesn't work,
the main charge degraded.
But I wouldn't rule out
good old-fashioned human error.
You're telling me
that the people
who blew up our US Capitol
in one shot,
didn't test the triggers,
the wiring?
Then what are you suggesting?
Hannah?
What if this bomb wasn't meant
to explode?
What if it was meant
to be found?
Look, I don't care
what the Governor's doing.
The President of the United Sates
needs to talk to him.
No, I'm not asking you.
I'm telling you.
I'm not gonna hold.
- Damn it!
- You'd think there would be
more people qualified
for Attorney General?
SETH: What the hell
am I supposed to say?
Is this a writer thing?
I'm trying to find a way to unite us
at Kirkman's remarks at the rubble,
but Michigan
is probably just the beginning.
The world is falling apart.
Probably don't want to put
that in the speech.
Yes, I'm still here.
God, it's unbelievable.
I like Wynbrandt.
He went to city college at night,
law school, good family man.
Massey's our guy.
He clerked for Thomas, he went
to Yale, editor of the Law Journal.
It's all about what's on paper
for you.
EMILY: I heard Wynbrandt speak.
The man has good values.
Emily, the Governor of Michigan
is basically declaring his state
a sovereign nation,
so we don't have time
for values.
I probably shouldn't put that
in the speech either, right?
Governor Royce said that?
That he's the highest authority?
That's what he said.
And in no uncertain terms.
Then he hung the phone up on me.
Well, he doesn't get to do that.
He has a constitutional obligation...
Don't you get it, Alex?
Royce wants to
tear up the Constitution,
and he's not the only one.
- Well, you can't let him.
- Trust me, I'm not going to.
We've got some lawyers coming over
from the Attorney General's office.
We'll figure out
what our legal options are
and we'll handle it.
How you holding up?
I spoke to Duncan.
The courts are closed.
Markets, banks, schools,
airports, everything.
Half the junior associates
in the firm,
they're thinking
of leaving Washington.
How's Penny?
You think she even understands
what's happening?
Besides the fact that we now
live in the White House,
her father is the President,
and she's sleeping in a very big bed.
No, not really. I've been trying
to keep her away from the TV.
And Leo?
He's been in his room all day,
with the door shut.
- So, basically being Leo.
Basically.
Do you think we could,
for five minutes,
just pretend that this
isn't really happening?
Kind of hard to do
in the Oval Office.
AGENT: I'm sorry, sir.
I told him you were busy.
It's all right.
How can I help you, General?
I'm afraid that's something we have
to discuss in private, Mr. President.
(SCOFFS)
This is my wife.
Your wife does not have
code-word clearance, sir.
- Of course. I'll go.
- Ma'am.
What is it?
I just spoke to FBI
Deputy Director Atwood.
HARRIS COCHRANE:
The lab results came in.
They've made a positive ID
on the explosives.
We know who blew up the Capitol.
AI-Sakar likes
mass-causality attacks.
A chlorine storage tank
in Manila,
sarin gas tanks canister lobbed
onto our military base in Nairobi.
Preliminary analysis from the FBl's
Explosive Device Center
tells us that residue found
on the Capitol debris
is consistent with bombs used
by AI-Sakar in the past.
Mr. President, it's time
to publicly name AI-Sakar
as the perpetrator of this crime
-and take appropriate action.
- Okay.
Before we do anything,
the FBI is absolutely certain
that AI-Sakar was behind
the attack?
- Seventy-five percent, sir.
- Seventy-five percent?
That's as high as it gets when
it comes to a call like this.
Seventy-five is still a C
on a test, General.
HARRIS:
This is not a test. This is war.
All the more reason
to get it right, don't you think?
Sir, America is demanding action
and I am giving you
an enemy we can kill.
You think I don't want to strike back
against the people who did this?
I lost colleagues, friends,
people I love.
I want to find
every single person
involved in this attack
from planning to execution
and rip them limb from limb,
which is why I need
to know exactly who did this!
Come back to me
with more than 75 percent,
and I'll launch
the damn missiles myself.
- HARRIS: How much more?
- Twenty-five, damn it!
The death toll
as of 3O minutes ago is 900 plus.
That includes the president,
vice president, Cabinet,
those we've been able to ID
from Congress and the Supreme Court
and FBI Director Jacobs
is also confirmed dead.
(MURMURING)
The working theory
is this is the work of AI-Sakar.
So as we know, this is
the latest offshoot of AI-Qaeda.
JASON: They are dispersed
throughout North Africa,
which makes them
very, very hard to track.
So we need to be crafty.
We need to reach out to your sources,
spread some cash around,
do whatever you have to do
to firm up that link.
- What about credit?
- What about it?
- Is AI-Sakar taking credit?
- No, they haven't.
But, it was months
before Bin Laden
took responsibility
for the Towers, so...
That's all for now.
Agent Wells.
- How are you doing?
- Same as everyone else, I guess.
I just came from Andrews.
The bomb we just found, the UXO...
it may not be telling you
what you think it is.
Okay, I'll bite.
All right, well,
what if they wanted us to find it
so that we would look at AI-Sakar
and not consider any other options.
Can you back up your theory?
My theories were good enough
for you in '09 in Iraq.
This is different, Hannah,
and you know it.
Besides, I've already talked
to General Cochrane
and the Joint Chiefs.
But you're still gonna
brief the president later, right?
Best to give them all
the theories, don't you think?
So if it wasn't AI-Sakar,
who blew up the Capitol Building?
I don't know yet,
and that's what scares me.
- Thanks, Mike.
- Okay, what do I do?
Am I supposed to smile because
I'll probably feel like crying.
- Just be yourself.
- I know, I just...
I don't want to let you down.
I don't want to let the country down,
and I hate this
that they picked out for me.
Look. I look
like the White House sofa.
- It's to fit over this, ma'am.
- Mike, is this all really necessary?
Two ways the president and his family
can leave the White House,
out the front door in Kevlar vests
and a 13-car armored motorcade
or out the back in a Chevy
and a ball cap.
- Give me the coat.
- Daddy!
Hey, little pea, how are you?
- What are you wearing?
- Oh, this?
This is just to protect me
in case I fall down.
Cool thing is you can punch it
and I won't feel a thing.
Go on, try.
_(GRUNTS)
-(LAUGHS)
Come here. I love you so much.
- It's time, sir.
- Okay.
- Hold on. Where's Leo?
- Relax, Mom, I'm here.
Okay, you need to watch your sister,
keep her away from the TV, okay?
Any of the news, it's too real.
She doesn't need to see it.
- Have you got that?
- Yeah, I understand.
- Sir, you won't be wearing a tie?
- It's not a formal occasion.
Okay. Let's go.
Phoenix is ready
and on the move.
Mike, just out of curiosity,
what was it before?
Sir?
My code name when I was
Secretary of HUD, what was it?
Glasses, sir.
We left word for the Governor,
three hours ago.
Yeah, please tell him, again.
AARON: (SIGHS) Forget politics,
it's just plain rude.
You would think today,
of all days,
people could at least pretend
to be decent human beings.
SETH: Why are you
so surprised?
Tragedy either makes people
appreciate
their fellow men or fear them.
The Governor's no different.
He's just elected.
(SIRENS WAILING)
- Thanks for coming with me.
- Of course.
What?
Yesterday, I was asked to resign
and we were talking
about moving to Montreal.
Now I'm trying to put the entire
US government back together
and stop the country
from tearing itself apart.
Hell of a day.
Yeah.
COP: That's the president's
motorcade coming in. Look out.
Are you ready for this?
(\NHISPERS) How can anybody
be ready for this?
COP: All right, hold the work.
Hold the work.
My God.
AARON: Sir.
Mr. President.
Tom.
Mr. President,
I'm Jason Atwood, Deputy Director.
We got a briefing ready
for you inside, sir.
Okay.
JASON: Prelim analysis
from TEDAC
indicates that the explosive residue
found on the debris
is called cyclonite,
also known as RDX.
We believe it was mixed
with a plasticizer.
And that's what maximizes
the destruction,
allowed the chamber
to come down on itself?
Exactly.
- And AI-Sakar has access to RDX?
- Yes, sir. It's their signature.
What about the device you found,
the bomb?
- TOM: Why didn't it go off?
- We believe it was human error.
JASON: We're still
running some tests.
TOM: Okay.
- Thank you, Deputy Director.
- Thank you, Mr. President.
We'll keep you updated.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Mike, take my coat.
Sir, I'm gonna need you
to keep that vest on.
Mike, we're here
to project confidence.
Does this vest
project confidence to you?
TOM: Thank you.
- I win.
- You cheated.
- I know your game, little girl.
- I did not.
- Oh, I got to take this.
- You're supposed to watch me.
It's the White House, Penny.
I'm sure you're safe.
(SIGHS)
ANCHOR: A truly somber moment,
as, newly sworn-in, President Kirkman
makes his first visit
to the site of the terrorist attack.
We will stand by for his...
- A lot of cameras, Aaron.
- You are the president, sir.
- Excuse me. Could I borrow that?
- Here you go, sir.
- Thank you. Just press here?
- Yeah.
Hello, my name is Tom Kirkman.
Last night
at approximately 10:30 p.m.,
I was sworn in as President
of the United States.
I've come down here because I wanted
to thank each and every one of you
for the work
that you're doing here
and let you know
that America mourns.
This...
This was an act of madness.
This was an act of terror.
Yesterday, we saw
the worst in humanity.
Today, I see it's best.
I know you're all tired, scared.
I know you want answers,
someone to blame,
someone to fight against.
I need you to know
that I want that, too.
- What?
- And even, though, today...
- It's Michigan.
-... I promise you, we will rise again
- better and stronger.
- Get down!
Those who we've lost
are leaders, family members...
and loved ones.
I swear to you,
they will not have died in vain.
Hey, you see what's going on
in Michigan.
This place where we stand
right here, right now...
will forever be hallowed ground,
and we must always respect
the incredible sacrifice
that was made here.
Mr. President,
do you have anything to say
about the Muslim teenager
in Dearborn who was beaten by police?
The president's not answering
any questions right now. Thank you.
You have no response,
President Kirkman?
- I didn't hear the question.
- The Muslim teenager
who was beaten by police.
- Do you have a comment?
- What?
Are you concerned that their civil
rights are being violated?
Is the White House concerned
about escalating violence
against Muslims?
Are you gonna let Americans
get beaten, Mr. Kirkman?
Show me your hands!
Show me your hands!
Show me your hands!
Gun! Gun! Gun!
(YELLING)
MIKE RITTER:
Cover and evacuate to the car!
MALE VOICE: Get your hands off him!
He's not doing anything!
It's a phone. It's a phone!
I have Phoenix!
I repeat, I have Phoenix!
COP: Back up! Back up!
I said back up!
Go, go, go!
Get me Governor Royce
on the phone now.
We've been trying.
He won't take the call.
He won't take the call?
Do we know about the condition
of the boy, the one in Michigan?
He's in surgery
with internal bleeding.
He knows we're calling,
sir, he doesn't care.
I want to talk to a couple lawyers
from the Attorney General's Office.
- What's his name?
- Danny Fayad, ma'am.
- How old is he?
- We have a couple AG candidates
-who could be helpful.
- Bring them in.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am.
Your daughter needs you upstairs.
Okay.
Tom, the boy, he's 17.
The same age as Leo.
Penny needs me. I got to go.
JASON: I don't have to explain
myself to you, Hannah.
I gave the President
what I determined
was the most relevant intel.
Or you gave him what the group
who did this wanted you to give him.
How can he lead
if he doesn't have all the facts?
Then you should have
given them to me.
Look, it's not...
that I don't believe you,
or that I don't want to.
Someone blew up the Capitol.
Who knows
what's possible anymore.
On top of that,
we got a guy in office
who's number 11
in the line of succession.
I can't go to him
with speculation, right now.
So, if you want me to go back
to him with your theory,
please, prove it.
TOM: The situation
in Michigan is out of control.
Now we've got a teenager
in critical condition.
I need to know
what my legal options are, right now.
Well, Mr. President,
you can invoke the Supremacy Clause,
issue an executive order
saying, Governor Royce
must force his police to stand down.
That's a bad call. E.O.s can
be perceived as very hostile.
- Then what would you suggest?
- A Presidential Proclamation.
Which is nothing more
than a symbolic, empty gesture.
It looks weak, sir.
Bush used a Proclamation to secure
disaster areas after Katrina.
That hardly seems
like an empty gesture to me.
I wouldn't take declaring Martial Law
off the table either, sir.
If you want this to be
the shortest presidency in history.
Let me get this straight.
An executive order
will be perceived as too hostile,
a Presidential Proclamation,
too weak.
Martial Law, either very, very smart
or incredibly self-destructive.
Guys, let me ask you a question.
Can you agree on anything?
- Yes.
- Not really.
Great.
- How is she?
- Well, how do you think she is?
She just watched her father
almost get trampled.
You had one job,
to keep her away from the TV.
- I did.
- Until you didn't.
- You left her alone.
- I got a phone call.
It's not my job
to be her parent.
Well, guess what.
We're all doing jobs
that we weren't doing yesterday.
Leo, nothing's the same anymore.
Look, I know it's asking a lot.
But you're just gonna have
to grow up faster.
I'm gonna need to count on you
in more ways than ever.
Can I do that?
- Can I do that?
- Guess we'll find out.
Take these to Treasury.
Tell them Social Security checks
will keep going out,
-if I have to sign them myself.
- Yes, sir.
Aaron, I thought we were
in agreement.
Really, General? About what?
He's in over his head,
out of his depth.
You need to convince your new boss
that AI-Sakar is behind the bombing.
I think he was pretty clear
in there.
Until he's certain,
he will not name anyone.
And as I recall, it's your job
to convince him.
- Aaron, you're Chief of Staff.
- Actually, I'm not.
- So, who is?
- He hasn't named one yet.
And yet another trigger
he won't pull.
Hi. (SIGHS)
Light reading?
Well, sadly,
it seems that Wikipedia
is a little thin
on constitutional-law theory.
Well, did the lawyers not give you
any answers about Michigan.
They gave me plenty of answers.
They just weren't the right ones.
It doesn't even matter yet.
I can't get Governor Royce back
on the phone.
Well, maybe it's time
to force his hand.
What do you mean?
When George Wallace
refused an order
to integrate schools in Alabama,
JFK had his brother federalize
the National Guard
and forced him to obey the law.
(CHUCKLES)
Federalize the National Guard.
Well, it's brilliant
but it's also a little...
- Nuclear.
- Yeah. Hey.
I don't need a nuclear solution.
I need a political one.
Good thing we have a politician
in the family.
- We'll see about that.
- Mr. President.
Hold on. (SIGHS)
Yeah.
Okay, thank you very much.
ALEX KIRKMAN: Tom?
- The boy from Michigan.
- Danny Fayad.
He just died.
EMILY: Mr. President.
- Tell me you got him.
- Yes.
Governor Royce
and Congresswoman Hookstraten
are both on the board of the
American Enterprise Institute.
If anyone can get him
back to the table...
That was smart. Good job.
Okay, Mr. President.
He's coming back on the line now.
- Thank you.
- My pleasure, sir.
Governor Royce.
You're a hard man to reach.
Well, I told you before.
I'm pretty busy.
Well, we're gonna try
and lighten the load for you,
For the record, I am ordering you
to have your police stand down
and stop harassing
the Muslim community in Dearborn.
I also need you to release everybody
that you've picked up today
that you have not
formally charged with a crime.
Look, I told you before,
my police are doing what they have
to do to protect my citizens.
With all due respect, Governor,
they're not your citizens.
They're mine
and it's my job to protect them.
It's a job
you have no business doing.
TOM: Well, not according
to the Constitution.
Governor, you should also know
that your police
unknowingly picked up
three undercover operatives
working on a long lead investigation
for Homeland Security.
I can't give you their names
because it's classified
and you don't have clearance.
That is why I need you
to release
everybody that you've
picked up today.
Well, I'm not gonna do that.
Well, then, Governor,
you'll be obstructing
a federal investigation.
I'm sure you're aware
of the consequences for that.
Look, I'm just trying
to keep my people safe.
How safe is Danny Fayad
this evening?
Governor,
I need your answer now.
I'll call the State Police,
tell them to stand down
and release everyone
we've picked up.
Thank you.
(SIGHS)
Mr. President, would you like me
to contact Homeland Security,
tell them their agents
have been released?
There were no agents.
It was a bluff.
TOM: A band-aid
to stop the bleeding for now.
Well done, Mr. President.
Governor Royce is a good man.
He was just wrong today.
- Thank you for your help, Kimble.
- Sir.
Thank you, everyone. Great work.
TOM: Seth, can you
hold up for a minute?
Walk with me.
DC police... called
the White House switchboard,
wanted to confirm
that you worked here.
What happened this morning?
What happened in Michigan.
What always happens.
When people don't know
who their enemy is,
they start with people
who look like me.
They want me to name AI-Sakar
as the group behind the bombing.
But the FBI can't confirm
with absolute certainty
that they did it.
So, I can't do anything.
Otherwise, I'd be just
as bad as Governor Royce.
- We got to get this right.
- We will, sir.
- How are you getting home?
- Sorry.
How are you getting home?
I can have the Secret Service
drive you.
Oh, no. That won't be necessary.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'll be fine.
Be careful, Seth.
Thank you, sir. Good night.
- Wyatt!
- WYATT: Yes, sir.
Could I please have the number
for Danny Fayad's parents?
I need you to know that words
could never express...
how sorry I am for your loss.
Goodnight.
Hey, Mike.
You wouldn't happen to have
a baseball cap laying around,
-would you?
- Yes, sir.
You lose someone?
Yeah.
I lost everyone.
Thank you.
Thank you for your service.
- Thank you for your service.
- Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Thanks for bringing me here,
Mike.
It's an honor, sir.
MALE VOICE: Hey, over here!
We found one!
We got a survivor!
We got a survivor over here!
on Designated Survivor...
Capitol's been attacked.
Eagle is gone,
Congress, the Cabinet.
Sir, you are now the President.
Some bad people
did something bad tonight,
LEO KIRKMAN: and it's Dad's job
to make sure we're all safe.
I've been with Secretary Kirkman's
staff for three years.
It's President Kirkman.
And you're not authorized.
Do we know who's responsible
for this?
Still too early to determine.
AARON SHORE:
We got to give them something,
the whole world is watching.
We have a Housing
and Urban Development Secretary
running the free world.
You're talking about removing
a sitting president.
MALE VOICE:
We got something over here!
Easy-
- What do you see?
- It's clear. Bomb's a dud.
You don't take credit for something
until you're done, right?
So, what if they're
just getting started?
-(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
-(MEN YELLING)
HANNAH WELLS: There
was no chatter.
JASON ATWOOD: Hannah,
I understand
there was no chatter,
but we still need to check
all of the usual suspects.
Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Al-Sakar.
Where are we
with local law enforcement?
I've coordinated with DC police,
Secret Service, Metro and Capitol.
That's good. Now, remember.
The high-value target list
only starts with the White House.
We need to heighten security
at every location.
Already taken care of.
-(MEN CHATTERING)
-(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(MECHANICAL WHIRRING)
- You taking that bomb to Andrews?
- JASON: Yeah.
Top brass wants everything
cataloged under one roof.
MALE VOICE: Deputy Director!
We need you over here!
All right.
MALE VOICE:
All right, pull that out!
-(MEN CONTINUE CHATTERING)
-(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
TOM KRKMAN:
My fellow Americans,
tonight our way of life
came under attack.
This act of cowardice was meant
to cripple our nation.
But as before,
America will show the world
that we will not bow down
to fear,
that we will fight back,
that we will persevere.
NEWS ANCHOR: And this was
President Tom Kirkman's
first address to the nation.
It came just two hours
after he was unceremoniously
sworn in as our new president.
Unfortunately,
last night's speech
did little to calm
the frayed nerves...
Words aside, Kirkman is an unelected,
untested HUD secretary
at a time where the world
is looking for leadership.
...remains of the Capitol,
searching for both survivors
and answers to the questions
all Americans are asking.
How did this happen
and will life ever be the sa...
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- AGENT: Morning, Mr. President.
- Good morning.
- West Wing, right or left?
- This way, to the right, sir.
- Thank you very much.
- Phoenix on the move.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
My wife didn't want me
to come in today.
She's afraid the White House
is next.
I was supposed to go last night
but I couldn't get a sitter.
FEMALE VOICE:
What are we gonna do?
I don't even know who to report to.
Melissa's dead, everyone's dead.
AARON: Mr. President.
- Aaron.
- Good morning.
We have a briefing waiting
for you in the Oval, sir.
- Mr. President.
- Wyatt, right?
- Yes, sir.
- Thank you.
Sir, I just have to warn you...
this might be a bit more hectic
than you're used to.
I understand.
I think we'll be fine.
ENERGY SECRETARY:
We've added increased security
to our oil and gas pipelines,
power grids, refineries,
chemical storage tanks.
Mass transit is still on lock down.
Planes and trains.
Immigration remains frozen.
Sir, you have to authorize
we close the banks immediately.
We can't do that. We cannot keep
the American people from their money.
Forty-eight hours
without Bank of America
is better than a 48-month depression.
If everyone withdraws money
at the same time,
the banks will collapse.
Where are we at
with the bombing?
Deputy Director Atwood
will be briefing us soon,
but we're looking at groups
with the skills and resources
to do something like this.
Hezbollah, AI-Qaeda,
North Korea, RGB.
Well, what's this about violence
in Michigan?
We're getting reports
of flare-ups in Dearborn.
Police targeting
the local Muslim community.
Yeah, but what I want to know is how
did the terrorists bring explosives
into the Capitol Building
in the first place.
We're working on that.
In the meantime, we have to go
after everyone we suspect.
We go after them,
after their families
-any way we can.
- I'm sorry,
are you talking
about enhanced interrogation?
They destroyed our Capitol.
I'm saying we do
whatever we have to do.
(OVERLAPPING ARGUING)
MALE VOICE:
Can I just get a moment?
Everybody, why don't we just focus
on one thing at a time?
(ARGUING CONTINUES)
Please, excuse me.
Please, can you just give me
a moment?
(SIGHS DEEPLY)
Tom...
I'm sorry. Mr. President.
I just needed to find
somewhere quiet.
AARON: Yeah, admittedly,
it got a little loud in there.
Loud?
A Caps game is loud, Aaron.
Back there in the Oval Office,
that was chaos.
We need order, a system,
or this is never gonna work.
We need to get this government
up and running.
We need a cabinet and fast.
That's a good idea, sir,
but first order of business
is going to be naming
your Chief of Staff.
Seriously?
You're making a play right now?
Enough!
I'm not ready to make that decision.
What I need is both of you
to step up
and help me put together a cabinet.
Tell me you can do that.
- Yes, Mr. President.
- Of course.
Good. For now, we're gonna close
the banks.
ATMs and credit
will still be available.
I want you to monitor
the situation in Michigan
and keep me up to speed
on the investigation
into the bombing.
The American people
want to know who did this,
-and so do I.
- Sir.
Also...
later today, I want to see
the Capitol Building,
or what's left of it.
EMILY RHODES: Are you sure
that's a good idea right now, sir?
No, no, no. That's exactly
what you need, sir. A do-over.
Last night's speech
didn't exactly put minds at ease.
But you, sir, at the site,
now that sends a message.
- It shows a...
- Respect, Aaron.
It shows respect.
It's not a photo-op.
- Whatever you say, sir.
- Good.
Let's get back to work.
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(DOG BARKING)
(POLICE SIREN BLARES)
- Sir. Hold it right there.
- Morning, what's going on?
- What's in the backpack?
- What?
- Your backpack. What's in it?
- Just my stuff for work.
- Papers and stuff.
- Where do you work?
- I work at the White House.
- Really? The White House?
Yeah, you know,
where the president sleeps.
You being a wise ass?
I'd like to know,
why you stopped me.
Why don't you tell us where you live
and show us some ID first.
I live right there.
It's cold and it's cramped,
but I can walk to my gym
so I got that going for me.
Seth Wright.
Is that your real name?
According to my mother.
COP: Keith. This looks good.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Mr. Wright.
Thank you.
Yeah, stay safe.
Look, I got to go.
Tell Mom I love her.
Okay, cabinet members.
What about Blanchard?
- For State?
- He qualified three years as deputy.
He also has two
secret Facebook accounts
and an affinity for coeds
who look after his kids.
I'm thinking Garfield's our guy.
No, think again. He's made more
than a few enemies on the Hill.
Emily, I hate to break it to you
but there is no Hill anymore.
Oh, my God.
There's no Hill anymore.
- Something happened in Michigan.
- What?
- Mr. President.
- You don't need to get up
every time I walk into a room.
I'm not the Queen.
No, sir.
Virtually no resemblance.
I'm sorry to interrupt
but I actually came in to apologize.
- Apologize?
- Last night, you wrote me
a home run of a speech.
This morning, it seems like the press
wished anybody else delivered it
but me.
Mr. President, maybe
the country's just not ready, yet...
to come together behind anyone,
even with the best speech
in the world.
- Maybe.
-(DOOR OPENS)
Mr. President.
There's something you need to see.
ANCHOR: Police imposing a curfew
on predominantly Muslim neighborhoods
and ordering residents
to obey it or face arrest.
These are citizens who have
not been charged with any crimes,
who are simply targeted because
of their religious beliefs.
The American
Civil Liberties Union
denounced the actions
by Dearborn police
- as a violation of an individual's...
- Mr. President, we're ready.
basic civil rights.
But in the wake of the attack
on the Capitol,
some are saying this is just the type
of policing this country needs.
- Governor?
- Royce.
Governor Royce, how are you?
About as expected.
There's a lot to manage here,
as you can imagine.
TOM: I know
and I want to help.
I've seen reports
that the police in Dearborn
are rounding up members
of the Muslim community.
Yes, I'm aware.
Well, like I said, we'd like to
help you stop the police.
Why would I stop the police?
They're acting on my orders.
- Your orders?
- That's correct.
GOVERNOR ROYCE:
I don't know if you know this,
but I have the largest Muslim
population in the country, here.
That doesn't mean
they're doing anything wrong
or
that they've been radicalized.
No, but I'm willing
to bet they know someone who is.
Governor, you can't target
an innocent population
because you're scared.
- You have a responsibility...
- To all my citizens.
And my first and only priority
is to make sure they're safe,
something that Washington,
if there even
is such a place anymore,
has proven incapable of doing.
Governor,
the federal government...
Was effectively snuffed out,
last night.
There is no Congress,
there is no Supreme Court.
When it comes to the people
of Michigan,
I am the highest authority
and you have none over me.
With all due respect, sir,
I am the President.
Not mine.
So you'll have to excuse me,
Mr. Kirkman.
While you're busy learning
how to become President,
I've got 1O million citizens
to protect.
Governor? Governor Royce? Hello?
(DOOR OPENS)
-(CHATTERING)
-(PHONE RINGING)
Sir, you should know
that messages of support
continue to pour in
from heads of state around the world.
We should go over which calls
you want to return personally.
I would think all of them.
How many calls are we talking about?
About 175, sir.
- Maybe we should prioritize.
- Mr. President.
I want you to know
that I don't care
what the so-called pundits
are saying.
I was very moved
by your words last night.
Well, thank you.
Excuse me, but who are you?
Mr. President, this is congresswoman
Kimble Hookstraten.
- Congresswoman.
- Yes, I was last night's
other designated survivor.
Other designated...
- Excuse us, please.
- Thank you, sir.
There are two
designated survivors?
Yeah,
the Republicans chose someone
to sit out of the State of the Union,
as well.
So they'd be represented.
Smart.
Hey, what do you know
about Hookstraten?
You were
on Senator Carlyle's staff
when they were both
on Ways and Means, weren't you?
- Stalker.
- Come on.
She's smart. Very smart.
Third-generation D.C. blue blood,
nine years, Republican whip,
knows every detail
about every player in town.
So you're saying she's a lot more
experienced than the president?
Come on. Let's go get Governor Royce
on the phone.
Four hundred
and thirty-five representatives,
One hundred senators
and nine justices.
And now it's just down
to the two of us.
I know. You don't know
whether to feel ashamed
or grateful to be alive.
- Apologetic.
- Sir?
To the American people
for being stuck
with me as their leader.
I mean, let's face it.
The pundits might be right.
Mr. President, do you know what
I did this morning, sir?
I cried and then I prayed.
Do you know when the last time
I did those two things together was?
9/11?
Nobody thought we could get
through it back then, but we did.
And nobody thinks we can get
through it now, but we will.
This is your house now.
So make it your own.
Whatever you need, just ask.
Republican, Democrat, Independent.
It doesn't matter anymore.
We're all Americans today.
Thank you, Congresswoman.
- Kimble, please.
- Okay.
Kimble, later this afternoon,
I'm going to the Capitol site
to thank the first responders.
I think it would be
a nice show of unity
if we were
to do that together.
What do you say?
I'd be honored, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRS)
(MEN CHATTERING)
Ronnie, is that
the unexploded munition?
Yep.
- What's it telling us?
- Russian anti-tank mine,
likely pulled from the ground
in Afghanistan.
But look here.
The guts are cannibalized.
RONNIE: Cyrillic on the outside
but the lock ring is Pakistani
and the firing pin is newer,
probably Iranian.
Well, that is consistent
with what we've seen
from
some Jihadist terror groups.
Well, we should be able
to point the finger directly
when we get the lab results
from the other bombs.
Right, but this one,
why didn't this one go off?
Any number of reasons.
Russian red wire
to Iranian green doesn't work,
the main charge degraded.
But I wouldn't rule out
good old-fashioned human error.
You're telling me
that the people
who blew up our US Capitol
in one shot,
didn't test the triggers,
the wiring?
Then what are you suggesting?
Hannah?
What if this bomb wasn't meant
to explode?
What if it was meant
to be found?
Look, I don't care
what the Governor's doing.
The President of the United Sates
needs to talk to him.
No, I'm not asking you.
I'm telling you.
I'm not gonna hold.
- Damn it!
- You'd think there would be
more people qualified
for Attorney General?
SETH: What the hell
am I supposed to say?
Is this a writer thing?
I'm trying to find a way to unite us
at Kirkman's remarks at the rubble,
but Michigan
is probably just the beginning.
The world is falling apart.
Probably don't want to put
that in the speech.
Yes, I'm still here.
God, it's unbelievable.
I like Wynbrandt.
He went to city college at night,
law school, good family man.
Massey's our guy.
He clerked for Thomas, he went
to Yale, editor of the Law Journal.
It's all about what's on paper
for you.
EMILY: I heard Wynbrandt speak.
The man has good values.
Emily, the Governor of Michigan
is basically declaring his state
a sovereign nation,
so we don't have time
for values.
I probably shouldn't put that
in the speech either, right?
Governor Royce said that?
That he's the highest authority?
That's what he said.
And in no uncertain terms.
Then he hung the phone up on me.
Well, he doesn't get to do that.
He has a constitutional obligation...
Don't you get it, Alex?
Royce wants to
tear up the Constitution,
and he's not the only one.
- Well, you can't let him.
- Trust me, I'm not going to.
We've got some lawyers coming over
from the Attorney General's office.
We'll figure out
what our legal options are
and we'll handle it.
How you holding up?
I spoke to Duncan.
The courts are closed.
Markets, banks, schools,
airports, everything.
Half the junior associates
in the firm,
they're thinking
of leaving Washington.
How's Penny?
You think she even understands
what's happening?
Besides the fact that we now
live in the White House,
her father is the President,
and she's sleeping in a very big bed.
No, not really. I've been trying
to keep her away from the TV.
And Leo?
He's been in his room all day,
with the door shut.
- So, basically being Leo.
Basically.
Do you think we could,
for five minutes,
just pretend that this
isn't really happening?
Kind of hard to do
in the Oval Office.
AGENT: I'm sorry, sir.
I told him you were busy.
It's all right.
How can I help you, General?
I'm afraid that's something we have
to discuss in private, Mr. President.
(SCOFFS)
This is my wife.
Your wife does not have
code-word clearance, sir.
- Of course. I'll go.
- Ma'am.
What is it?
I just spoke to FBI
Deputy Director Atwood.
HARRIS COCHRANE:
The lab results came in.
They've made a positive ID
on the explosives.
We know who blew up the Capitol.
AI-Sakar likes
mass-causality attacks.
A chlorine storage tank
in Manila,
sarin gas tanks canister lobbed
onto our military base in Nairobi.
Preliminary analysis from the FBl's
Explosive Device Center
tells us that residue found
on the Capitol debris
is consistent with bombs used
by AI-Sakar in the past.
Mr. President, it's time
to publicly name AI-Sakar
as the perpetrator of this crime
-and take appropriate action.
- Okay.
Before we do anything,
the FBI is absolutely certain
that AI-Sakar was behind
the attack?
- Seventy-five percent, sir.
- Seventy-five percent?
That's as high as it gets when
it comes to a call like this.
Seventy-five is still a C
on a test, General.
HARRIS:
This is not a test. This is war.
All the more reason
to get it right, don't you think?
Sir, America is demanding action
and I am giving you
an enemy we can kill.
You think I don't want to strike back
against the people who did this?
I lost colleagues, friends,
people I love.
I want to find
every single person
involved in this attack
from planning to execution
and rip them limb from limb,
which is why I need
to know exactly who did this!
Come back to me
with more than 75 percent,
and I'll launch
the damn missiles myself.
- HARRIS: How much more?
- Twenty-five, damn it!
The death toll
as of 3O minutes ago is 900 plus.
That includes the president,
vice president, Cabinet,
those we've been able to ID
from Congress and the Supreme Court
and FBI Director Jacobs
is also confirmed dead.
(MURMURING)
The working theory
is this is the work of AI-Sakar.
So as we know, this is
the latest offshoot of AI-Qaeda.
JASON: They are dispersed
throughout North Africa,
which makes them
very, very hard to track.
So we need to be crafty.
We need to reach out to your sources,
spread some cash around,
do whatever you have to do
to firm up that link.
- What about credit?
- What about it?
- Is AI-Sakar taking credit?
- No, they haven't.
But, it was months
before Bin Laden
took responsibility
for the Towers, so...
That's all for now.
Agent Wells.
- How are you doing?
- Same as everyone else, I guess.
I just came from Andrews.
The bomb we just found, the UXO...
it may not be telling you
what you think it is.
Okay, I'll bite.
All right, well,
what if they wanted us to find it
so that we would look at AI-Sakar
and not consider any other options.
Can you back up your theory?
My theories were good enough
for you in '09 in Iraq.
This is different, Hannah,
and you know it.
Besides, I've already talked
to General Cochrane
and the Joint Chiefs.
But you're still gonna
brief the president later, right?
Best to give them all
the theories, don't you think?
So if it wasn't AI-Sakar,
who blew up the Capitol Building?
I don't know yet,
and that's what scares me.
- Thanks, Mike.
- Okay, what do I do?
Am I supposed to smile because
I'll probably feel like crying.
- Just be yourself.
- I know, I just...
I don't want to let you down.
I don't want to let the country down,
and I hate this
that they picked out for me.
Look. I look
like the White House sofa.
- It's to fit over this, ma'am.
- Mike, is this all really necessary?
Two ways the president and his family
can leave the White House,
out the front door in Kevlar vests
and a 13-car armored motorcade
or out the back in a Chevy
and a ball cap.
- Give me the coat.
- Daddy!
Hey, little pea, how are you?
- What are you wearing?
- Oh, this?
This is just to protect me
in case I fall down.
Cool thing is you can punch it
and I won't feel a thing.
Go on, try.
_(GRUNTS)
-(LAUGHS)
Come here. I love you so much.
- It's time, sir.
- Okay.
- Hold on. Where's Leo?
- Relax, Mom, I'm here.
Okay, you need to watch your sister,
keep her away from the TV, okay?
Any of the news, it's too real.
She doesn't need to see it.
- Have you got that?
- Yeah, I understand.
- Sir, you won't be wearing a tie?
- It's not a formal occasion.
Okay. Let's go.
Phoenix is ready
and on the move.
Mike, just out of curiosity,
what was it before?
Sir?
My code name when I was
Secretary of HUD, what was it?
Glasses, sir.
We left word for the Governor,
three hours ago.
Yeah, please tell him, again.
AARON: (SIGHS) Forget politics,
it's just plain rude.
You would think today,
of all days,
people could at least pretend
to be decent human beings.
SETH: Why are you
so surprised?
Tragedy either makes people
appreciate
their fellow men or fear them.
The Governor's no different.
He's just elected.
(SIRENS WAILING)
- Thanks for coming with me.
- Of course.
What?
Yesterday, I was asked to resign
and we were talking
about moving to Montreal.
Now I'm trying to put the entire
US government back together
and stop the country
from tearing itself apart.
Hell of a day.
Yeah.
COP: That's the president's
motorcade coming in. Look out.
Are you ready for this?
(\NHISPERS) How can anybody
be ready for this?
COP: All right, hold the work.
Hold the work.
My God.
AARON: Sir.
Mr. President.
Tom.
Mr. President,
I'm Jason Atwood, Deputy Director.
We got a briefing ready
for you inside, sir.
Okay.
JASON: Prelim analysis
from TEDAC
indicates that the explosive residue
found on the debris
is called cyclonite,
also known as RDX.
We believe it was mixed
with a plasticizer.
And that's what maximizes
the destruction,
allowed the chamber
to come down on itself?
Exactly.
- And AI-Sakar has access to RDX?
- Yes, sir. It's their signature.
What about the device you found,
the bomb?
- TOM: Why didn't it go off?
- We believe it was human error.
JASON: We're still
running some tests.
TOM: Okay.
- Thank you, Deputy Director.
- Thank you, Mr. President.
We'll keep you updated.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Mike, take my coat.
Sir, I'm gonna need you
to keep that vest on.
Mike, we're here
to project confidence.
Does this vest
project confidence to you?
TOM: Thank you.
- I win.
- You cheated.
- I know your game, little girl.
- I did not.
- Oh, I got to take this.
- You're supposed to watch me.
It's the White House, Penny.
I'm sure you're safe.
(SIGHS)
ANCHOR: A truly somber moment,
as, newly sworn-in, President Kirkman
makes his first visit
to the site of the terrorist attack.
We will stand by for his...
- A lot of cameras, Aaron.
- You are the president, sir.
- Excuse me. Could I borrow that?
- Here you go, sir.
- Thank you. Just press here?
- Yeah.
Hello, my name is Tom Kirkman.
Last night
at approximately 10:30 p.m.,
I was sworn in as President
of the United States.
I've come down here because I wanted
to thank each and every one of you
for the work
that you're doing here
and let you know
that America mourns.
This...
This was an act of madness.
This was an act of terror.
Yesterday, we saw
the worst in humanity.
Today, I see it's best.
I know you're all tired, scared.
I know you want answers,
someone to blame,
someone to fight against.
I need you to know
that I want that, too.
- What?
- And even, though, today...
- It's Michigan.
-... I promise you, we will rise again
- better and stronger.
- Get down!
Those who we've lost
are leaders, family members...
and loved ones.
I swear to you,
they will not have died in vain.
Hey, you see what's going on
in Michigan.
This place where we stand
right here, right now...
will forever be hallowed ground,
and we must always respect
the incredible sacrifice
that was made here.
Mr. President,
do you have anything to say
about the Muslim teenager
in Dearborn who was beaten by police?
The president's not answering
any questions right now. Thank you.
You have no response,
President Kirkman?
- I didn't hear the question.
- The Muslim teenager
who was beaten by police.
- Do you have a comment?
- What?
Are you concerned that their civil
rights are being violated?
Is the White House concerned
about escalating violence
against Muslims?
Are you gonna let Americans
get beaten, Mr. Kirkman?
Show me your hands!
Show me your hands!
Show me your hands!
Gun! Gun! Gun!
(YELLING)
MIKE RITTER:
Cover and evacuate to the car!
MALE VOICE: Get your hands off him!
He's not doing anything!
It's a phone. It's a phone!
I have Phoenix!
I repeat, I have Phoenix!
COP: Back up! Back up!
I said back up!
Go, go, go!
Get me Governor Royce
on the phone now.
We've been trying.
He won't take the call.
He won't take the call?
Do we know about the condition
of the boy, the one in Michigan?
He's in surgery
with internal bleeding.
He knows we're calling,
sir, he doesn't care.
I want to talk to a couple lawyers
from the Attorney General's Office.
- What's his name?
- Danny Fayad, ma'am.
- How old is he?
- We have a couple AG candidates
-who could be helpful.
- Bring them in.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am.
Your daughter needs you upstairs.
Okay.
Tom, the boy, he's 17.
The same age as Leo.
Penny needs me. I got to go.
JASON: I don't have to explain
myself to you, Hannah.
I gave the President
what I determined
was the most relevant intel.
Or you gave him what the group
who did this wanted you to give him.
How can he lead
if he doesn't have all the facts?
Then you should have
given them to me.
Look, it's not...
that I don't believe you,
or that I don't want to.
Someone blew up the Capitol.
Who knows
what's possible anymore.
On top of that,
we got a guy in office
who's number 11
in the line of succession.
I can't go to him
with speculation, right now.
So, if you want me to go back
to him with your theory,
please, prove it.
TOM: The situation
in Michigan is out of control.
Now we've got a teenager
in critical condition.
I need to know
what my legal options are, right now.
Well, Mr. President,
you can invoke the Supremacy Clause,
issue an executive order
saying, Governor Royce
must force his police to stand down.
That's a bad call. E.O.s can
be perceived as very hostile.
- Then what would you suggest?
- A Presidential Proclamation.
Which is nothing more
than a symbolic, empty gesture.
It looks weak, sir.
Bush used a Proclamation to secure
disaster areas after Katrina.
That hardly seems
like an empty gesture to me.
I wouldn't take declaring Martial Law
off the table either, sir.
If you want this to be
the shortest presidency in history.
Let me get this straight.
An executive order
will be perceived as too hostile,
a Presidential Proclamation,
too weak.
Martial Law, either very, very smart
or incredibly self-destructive.
Guys, let me ask you a question.
Can you agree on anything?
- Yes.
- Not really.
Great.
- How is she?
- Well, how do you think she is?
She just watched her father
almost get trampled.
You had one job,
to keep her away from the TV.
- I did.
- Until you didn't.
- You left her alone.
- I got a phone call.
It's not my job
to be her parent.
Well, guess what.
We're all doing jobs
that we weren't doing yesterday.
Leo, nothing's the same anymore.
Look, I know it's asking a lot.
But you're just gonna have
to grow up faster.
I'm gonna need to count on you
in more ways than ever.
Can I do that?
- Can I do that?
- Guess we'll find out.
Take these to Treasury.
Tell them Social Security checks
will keep going out,
-if I have to sign them myself.
- Yes, sir.
Aaron, I thought we were
in agreement.
Really, General? About what?
He's in over his head,
out of his depth.
You need to convince your new boss
that AI-Sakar is behind the bombing.
I think he was pretty clear
in there.
Until he's certain,
he will not name anyone.
And as I recall, it's your job
to convince him.
- Aaron, you're Chief of Staff.
- Actually, I'm not.
- So, who is?
- He hasn't named one yet.
And yet another trigger
he won't pull.
Hi. (SIGHS)
Light reading?
Well, sadly,
it seems that Wikipedia
is a little thin
on constitutional-law theory.
Well, did the lawyers not give you
any answers about Michigan.
They gave me plenty of answers.
They just weren't the right ones.
It doesn't even matter yet.
I can't get Governor Royce back
on the phone.
Well, maybe it's time
to force his hand.
What do you mean?
When George Wallace
refused an order
to integrate schools in Alabama,
JFK had his brother federalize
the National Guard
and forced him to obey the law.
(CHUCKLES)
Federalize the National Guard.
Well, it's brilliant
but it's also a little...
- Nuclear.
- Yeah. Hey.
I don't need a nuclear solution.
I need a political one.
Good thing we have a politician
in the family.
- We'll see about that.
- Mr. President.
Hold on. (SIGHS)
Yeah.
Okay, thank you very much.
ALEX KIRKMAN: Tom?
- The boy from Michigan.
- Danny Fayad.
He just died.
EMILY: Mr. President.
- Tell me you got him.
- Yes.
Governor Royce
and Congresswoman Hookstraten
are both on the board of the
American Enterprise Institute.
If anyone can get him
back to the table...
That was smart. Good job.
Okay, Mr. President.
He's coming back on the line now.
- Thank you.
- My pleasure, sir.
Governor Royce.
You're a hard man to reach.
Well, I told you before.
I'm pretty busy.
Well, we're gonna try
and lighten the load for you,
For the record, I am ordering you
to have your police stand down
and stop harassing
the Muslim community in Dearborn.
I also need you to release everybody
that you've picked up today
that you have not
formally charged with a crime.
Look, I told you before,
my police are doing what they have
to do to protect my citizens.
With all due respect, Governor,
they're not your citizens.
They're mine
and it's my job to protect them.
It's a job
you have no business doing.
TOM: Well, not according
to the Constitution.
Governor, you should also know
that your police
unknowingly picked up
three undercover operatives
working on a long lead investigation
for Homeland Security.
I can't give you their names
because it's classified
and you don't have clearance.
That is why I need you
to release
everybody that you've
picked up today.
Well, I'm not gonna do that.
Well, then, Governor,
you'll be obstructing
a federal investigation.
I'm sure you're aware
of the consequences for that.
Look, I'm just trying
to keep my people safe.
How safe is Danny Fayad
this evening?
Governor,
I need your answer now.
I'll call the State Police,
tell them to stand down
and release everyone
we've picked up.
Thank you.
(SIGHS)
Mr. President, would you like me
to contact Homeland Security,
tell them their agents
have been released?
There were no agents.
It was a bluff.
TOM: A band-aid
to stop the bleeding for now.
Well done, Mr. President.
Governor Royce is a good man.
He was just wrong today.
- Thank you for your help, Kimble.
- Sir.
Thank you, everyone. Great work.
TOM: Seth, can you
hold up for a minute?
Walk with me.
DC police... called
the White House switchboard,
wanted to confirm
that you worked here.
What happened this morning?
What happened in Michigan.
What always happens.
When people don't know
who their enemy is,
they start with people
who look like me.
They want me to name AI-Sakar
as the group behind the bombing.
But the FBI can't confirm
with absolute certainty
that they did it.
So, I can't do anything.
Otherwise, I'd be just
as bad as Governor Royce.
- We got to get this right.
- We will, sir.
- How are you getting home?
- Sorry.
How are you getting home?
I can have the Secret Service
drive you.
Oh, no. That won't be necessary.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'll be fine.
Be careful, Seth.
Thank you, sir. Good night.
- Wyatt!
- WYATT: Yes, sir.
Could I please have the number
for Danny Fayad's parents?
I need you to know that words
could never express...
how sorry I am for your loss.
Goodnight.
Hey, Mike.
You wouldn't happen to have
a baseball cap laying around,
-would you?
- Yes, sir.
You lose someone?
Yeah.
I lost everyone.
Thank you.
Thank you for your service.
- Thank you for your service.
- Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Thanks for bringing me here,
Mike.
It's an honor, sir.
MALE VOICE: Hey, over here!
We found one!
We got a survivor!
We got a survivor over here!