When a bomb kills the president and other top politicians, demure Cabinet member Tom Kirkman must suddenly take the reins of a government in chaos.

The day after the bombing, President Kirkman faces down a rogue governor, and a nascent conspiracy forms. The FBI begins its hunt for the bombers.

President Kirkman and his staff work to keep a high-level security breach of the White House a secret just as he's about to give his first television interview. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate the Capitol bombing, and Agent Hannah Wells starts to develop her own theories about who was really behind the attack.

Kirkman learns who is behind the attack and needs to grapple not only with the prospect of war, but brewing domestic troubles as well. Kirkman taps Emily to monitor the domestic situation, while Alex may be in for more than she bargains for when she seeks out help from Hookstraten.

Realising his attempts at diplomacy with Algeria have failed, President Kirkman makes the difficult decision of sending Navy SEALs on a mission that will define his Presidency. Meanwhile, as the investigation into the Capitol bombing continues, Agent Hannah Wells discovers more secrets than answers.

When shots ring out at The White House during a Governors Summit, President Kirkman's plans at electing a new Congress are thrown into turmoil, while Agent Hannah Wells continues investigating the Capitol bombing and makes one of her most shocking discoveries yet.