Designated Survivor (TV Series)

The Confession (2016)

Kiefer Sutherland: Tom Kirkman

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Quotes 

• Tom Kirkman : I'm sorry for the interruption. Do you mind asking the question again?

  Elizabeth Vargas : Of course. Mr. President, were you fired by President Richmond on the day of the attack?

  Tom Kirkman : No, I was offered another assignment; an ambassadorship, which I had not accepted yet.

  Elizabeth Vargas : Did you request this transfer?

  Tom Kirkman : No, I did not.

  Elizabeth Vargas : So, is it safe to say President Richmond no longer wanted you to serve in his Cabinet?

  Tom Kirkman : That would be correct.

• Tom Kirkman : I feel I owe you an apology, because I agreed to have you brought over to the West Wing earlier today to tell stories about your father for the eulogy that I was supposed to deliver. It was insensitive, and I am sorry. But I remembered that I actually have a story for you.

  Tyler Richmond : Oh, like the time my dad fired you?

  Tom Kirkman : [sardonic laugh]  No. No. This was when your father took almost an hour out of a Cabinet meeting to tell us all about your spring recital at Williams last year.

  Tyler Richmond : No, I... I... I think... I think you're mistaken.

  Tom Kirkman : Bartók "Violin Concerto No. 2", I think.

  Tyler Richmond : Yeah, but my... my father wasn't there. He had a Cabinet...

  Tom Kirkman : He was. In the back of the room.

  Tyler Richmond : Okay, I think I would know.

  Tom Kirkman : He had one Secret Service detail. He was wearing a baseball cap. He didn't want to take the focus off of you.

  Tyler Richmond : No, that's just not...

  Tom Kirkman : He went on and on about your craft, your diligence, your work ethic, your talent, and... he was so proud. It was nice. And at the end, he gave everyone a program. I asked my assistant Wyatt to go to my old office and bring it here for me.

  [standing up, he walks over to his desk and returns with the program in hand] 

  Tyler Richmond : He was... he was there?

  Tom Kirkman : Tyler, I think he was always there. I'm sorry he couldn't tell you himself.

  Tyler Richmond : [choking up]  Um... would you, um... you mind if I...

  Tom Kirkman : That would be my honor. It's why I asked you here.

  Tyler Richmond : [standing to leave]  Um... thank you... Mr. President.

  Tom Kirkman : My pleasure.

• Aaron Shore : Hey, this is the White House. There aren't supposed to be any blackouts.

  Seth Wright : Unless, and... and I really hate to say this, but what if it's...?

  Tom Kirkman : A second attack.

• Tom Kirkman : Telling the truth earlier today might not have been the most savvy thing to do, but it felt right. It's who I am. It's the kind of president I need to be.

  Emily Rhodes : I feel the same way.

  Tom Kirkman : I've been thinking about my Chief of Staff.

  Emily Rhodes : Have you?

  Tom Kirkman : And I guess I should just come right out with it. I have decided to go with Aaron.

  Emily Rhodes : I'm sorry?

  Tom Kirkman : I know you have misgivings about Aaron. Hell, so do I. But I need someone political, someone who can think differently than I do.

  Emily Rhodes : I can be that.

  Tom Kirkman : Emily, I need you to be you.

  Emily Rhodes : Right.

  Tom Kirkman : And I need you to know that I cannot do this without you. You have been by my side since I began in public service. It's always been you and me off to fight the good fight. But this... this is beyond anything anyone could have expected. And the truth is I'm scared. I'm scared I'm going to fail; fail our nation at this crucial time. I would like to appoint you as my Special Advisor.

  [seeing her expression] 

  Tom Kirkman : It's not a consolation. You would have full access. Please.

  Emily Rhodes : I would be honored. But for the record, I'm not here to smile and nod. If I disagree with Aaron, I'm gonna say it.

  Tom Kirkman : I would expect nothing less.

• [last lines] 

  Aaron Shore : [his phone buzzes]  Aaron Shore.

  Tom Kirkman : Aaron, it's me.

  Aaron Shore : Mr. President.

  Tom Kirkman : You forced my hand today by releasing that tape. You put in motion a timetable that will test the patience of the American people. So your first job as my Chief of Staff is to make sure that Al-Sakar is found, and fast, or you may find my patience being tested. Are we clear.

  Aaron Shore : Yes, sir. Good night, Mr. President.

  Tom Kirkman : Good night.

  Woman : [behind him as he hangs up]  He's an interesting guy, your boss. I have what you asked for.

  [she hands him a manila folder labeled "Thomas Kirkman"] 

  Aaron Shore : Anything good?

  Woman : Depends whose side you're on.

• Emily Rhodes : So, you'll tape today to air tonight. This interview is a get. Every network wanted it, but we hope Elizabeth Vargas is a friend of the court.

  Tom Kirkman : What if she brings up the blackout?

  Aaron Shore : She won't, sir. The story's been contained.

  Emily Rhodes : This is all about the country getting to know you.

  Aaron Shore : You want to be in command, but approachable. Smart, but relatable.

  Tom Kirkman : What about sincere?

  Aaron Shore : Yeah, you could... sincere could work. You can go with sincere if you want.

  Tom Kirkman : I'll go with sincere.

• Seth Wright : Given what's just happened, we may want to cancel the Elizabeth Vargas interview.

  Aaron Shore : No, that'll raise too many questions. We'll just bring the crew in through the East Entrance so they don't get wind of the hack.

  Emily Rhodes : I agree. It has to be business as usual around here.

  Aaron Shore : Yeah, you and I will meet with Congresswoman Hookstraten and go over the Cabinet choices as scheduled.

  Tom Kirkman : Okay, good. Now if I could just appoint the rest of the government legally without a vote.

  Emily Rhodes : That would certainly help lighten your load.

• Mike Ritter : Mr. President, I need you to step away from your computer.

  Tom Kirkman : Mike, what's going?

  Mike Ritter : The White House has just been hacked.

• Mike Ritter : EOP Security is calling it a one-time malicious cyber intrusion.

  Aaron Shore : Against what's supposed to be the most network on Earth?

  Seth Wright : The public is gonna consider this another attack.

  Aaron Shore : Yeah, that's why the public can't find out about this. There's too much chaos as it is. This just can't get out.

  Tom Kirkman : So we have no idea what they were after, or if our files were compromised.

  Mike Ritter : Not yet, sir. NSA's still completing their scans of all the White House computers.

  Tom Kirkman : Do we have any idea who might have done this?

  Mike Ritter : Could be the Russians. Could be the North Koreans.

  Tom Kirkman : Or the people who bombed the Capitol Building.

  Mike Ritter : Yes, sir. We're following every lead.

  Tom Kirkman : Okay, thank you, Mike. Keep me updated.

• Tom Kirkman : The NSA and Homeland Security just finished their analysis on the hack.

  Mike Ritter : All of our data, files, codes; everything's intact.

  Aaron Shore : What, so you're saying they didn't take anything?

  Tom Kirkman : No. They left something behind.

• Tom Kirkman : Al Jazeera was always good enough for bin Laden to release information statements. Why would Nassar go to all the trouble to hack the most secure network in the world just to deliver this video to me? It... it doesn't feel right.

  Harris Cochrane : I believe he did it, sir, to show us he can. He's taunting us.

  Deputy CIA Director : Mr. President, I do think it's important to take note that Al-Sakar has taken credit for attacks committed by others in the past; the Moroccan nightclub bombing, 2013.

  Tom Kirkman : I remember. They claimed responsibility for the bombing, but eventually Israeli Intelligence proved that it was Al-Shabaab. Okay, any other reasons to believe that Al-Sakar was not behind the attack?

  [the room is silent] 

  Tom Kirkman : Anyone, please?

  [the room is silent again] 

  Tom Kirkman : Come on. Anybody?

  Jason Atwood : [standing up and clearing his throat]  Mr. President, Jason Atwood, Deputy Director, FBI.

  Tom Kirkman : We met at the Capitol site. You have another theory?

  Jason Atwood : Not me, one of my agents. She believes that the evidence was manipulated to point toward Al-Sakar so we wouldn't consider any other suspects.

  Tom Kirkman : What evidence?

  Jason Atwood : The unexploded ordnance. She thinks that it was not a mistake, and it was left there on purpose to be found.

  Tom Kirkman : And you believe this?

  Jason Atwood : I'm not sure, but I do believe in her.

  Harris Cochrane : Sir, what are your orders?

  Tom Kirkman : Until we can confirm that Nassar actually did what he says, no one outside these walls sees that video, understood? In the meantime, track the son of a bitch down. Whatever cave, cavern, or hole he's hiding in, I want you to find me Majid Nassar.

• Elizabeth Vargas : It is astonishing that Congressman MacLeish survived.

  Tom Kirkman : It's incredibly encouraging to have good news in these heartbreaking times.

  Elizabeth Vargas : And difficult times, certainly, to lead, given the challenge from the governor of Michigan, the near riot in the Capitol.

  Tom Kirkman : Well, thankfully, those crises were averted. But I have to say, the American people have this unique ability to be at their best when times are at their worst, and I'm counting on them as much to get through this as they're counting on me.

  Elizabeth Vargas : Your previous position in the Cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, it's not a natural stepping stone to go from that position straight into the Oval Office.

  Tom Kirkman : No. No, it's not. And to be honest, I have never had any aspirations for the presidency, ever. When I came to Washington, I came to help people.

  Aaron Shore : [quietly to Emily behind the scenes]  Home stretch.

  Elizabeth Vargas : Mr. President, I have one last question, and this is something we have just unearthed. I wanted to give you a chance to address it. We have sources who are telling us, and I'd like your comment on this, please...

  Emily Rhodes : [quietly to Aaron]  Where is this going?

  Aaron Shore : Somewhere I don't like.

  Elizabeth Vargas : ...that President Richmond fired you from his Cabinet on the day of the attack in the Capitol? Mr. President, were you fired? And... and if you were, can you understand why some may say you have no business being the President of the United States?

• Elizabeth Vargas : Mr. President, were you fired?

  Aaron Shore : Sir, please?

  Tom Kirkman : I'm sorry. Can you excuse me for one second?

  Elizabeth Vargas : Of course.

  Tom Kirkman : Thank you.

  [he, Aaron, and Emily leave to talk in private] 

  Aaron Shore : I have no idea how they ahold of that information.

  Emily Rhodes : Maybe from the hack?

  Tom Kirkman : No, NSA said our files weren't compromised. Look, this is on the record. I'm gonna have to answer.

  Emily Rhodes : You have to tell the truth.

  Aaron Shore : Are you kidding me?

  Emily Rhodes : Aaron, it's already out there. Besides, he wasn't fired.

  Aaron Shore : That's perception. Nobody's gonna see it that way. Sir, you admit to this, you bring down your presidency before it even begins.

  Emily Rhodes : Deny it, and you start your presidency off with a lie.

  Tom Kirkman : [making up his mind]  I'll take it from here.

• Tyler Richmond : Is that your eulogy?

  Tom Kirkman : Tyler, yeah. I just made some last-minute changes.

  Tyler Richmond : Yeah, well, don't bother. You won't be needing it.

  Tom Kirkman : I'm sorry. Excuse me?

  Tyler Richmond : I saw a clip of your interview online. My father fired you, and I won't let you use his funeral as some sort of PR stunt to make you look presidential when he thought you were anything but.

  Tom Kirkman : Tyler, please, you don't under...

  Tyler Richmond : You know what? Just save it for your next interview.

  Tom Kirkman : [as Tyler leaves]  Ty...

  Emily Rhodes : He can't do that. You are the president.

  Tom Kirkman : No. He lost his father. We will respect his wishes.

• Tom Kirkman : [sitting down with Alex]  Tyler saw the interview. He doesn't want me to do the eulogy.

  Tyler Richmond : My father loved his job. And more than anything, he loved the people he worked with. He was always grateful to have allies across the aisle, and I know he'd be pleased to have one of those friends here today to say a few words. My father's political career began...

  Aaron Shore : What'd he just say?

  Emily Rhodes : I... must be a mistake. No one else is slated to speak.

  Tyler Richmond : This person is someone my father spoke about with great admiration and respect, and someone we are blessed to have represent us during such uncertain times: Congresswoman Kimble Hookstraten.

  Emily Rhodes : Hookstraten?

  Aaron Shore : Still think it was a good idea for him to tell the truth at the interview?

  Alex Kirkman : This isn't good.

  Tom Kirkman : No. This is what you get for being honest in D.C.: opportunism.

• Kimble Hookstraten : Mr. President.

  Tom Kirkman : Galvanizing speech, Congresswoman.

  Kimble Hookstraten : Is something wrong, sir?

  Tom Kirkman : No, not at all, Kimble. Republicans, Democrats, Independents. We're all Americans today. Isn't that what you said?

• Seth Wright : Bad time, sir?

  Tom Kirkman : No, come on in. I think Tyler Richmond is dodging my calls.

  Seth Wright : I'm sorry about what happened.

  Tom Kirkman : You wrote a beautiful eulogy. I'm sorry he didn't get to hear it.

  Seth Wright : Thank you, sir. There is one thing. After the funeral, I ran into a couple of former staffers who were closer with the former president. They told me that Tyler and his father had a falling out two years ago. They hadn't spoken to each other since. Not a word.

  Tom Kirkman : Wow. He didn't make it sound like that.

  Seth Wright : I guess all any son wants is to feel like he's loved by his father. Maybe it's just easier to lie to the world than it is to be honest with yourself.

• News Anchor : We have breaking news now from Washington, D.C. We've just received a video obtained from a high-level White House source. The video shows Majid Nassar, the leader of the Algerian-based Al-Sakar...

  Tom Kirkman : [watching on TV]  Someone leaked it.

  Seth Wright : Who? Cochrane?

  Tom Kirkman : No, it's not his style.

  [leaving the Oval Office to the outer office] 

  Tom Kirkman : Wyatt, can you get me Congresswoman Hookstraten, now?

• Kimble Hookstraten : Forgive me, sir, but I did not leak that video. I'm wondering why you think I did.

  Tom Kirkman : Because you said to my face that we needed an enemy. Well, now we've got one, and we both know you're not above undermining me.

  Kimble Hookstraten : Still holding my speech against me?

  Tom Kirkman : Sorry, it's still a little fresh, and I can't help but notice a pattern starting to develop.

  Kimble Hookstraten : Mr. President, I was honest with you then, and I'll be honest with you now. I did not release that video. But whoever did was actually doing you a tremendous favor.

  Tom Kirkman : How on earth is that possible?

  Kimble Hookstraten : Just wait. In an hour or two, the conversation won't be about whether you were fired or if I gave a great speech. It'll be about the vicious and ruthless enemy we're facing and how we should all rally around our leader, Tom Kirkman.

  Tom Kirkman : Even if we can't prove that they're the group that actually attacked us.

  Kimble Hookstraten : I'm sorry, but that's out of your hands now, sir. And you might not be ready for it, but you are now truly our Commander in Chief.

• Tom Kirkman : Earlier, you said that you didn't want this job. Was that the truth?

  Kimble Hookstraten : Yes. For now.

  Tom Kirkman : For now? What about three years?

  Kimble Hookstraten : Well, with the primaries, more like two and a half. But who's counting?

• Tom Kirkman : I know it was you.

  Aaron Shore : Sir?

  Tom Kirkman : I know you were the one who released the video.

  Aaron Shore : Sir, you were on the ropes. The country was nervous. The press was circling.

  Tom Kirkman : Aaron, please.

  Aaron Shore : Nobody is talking about the wrong designated survivor anymore. They're rallying against a common enemy, and soon they'll unite behind their Commander in Chief.

  Tom Kirkman : I don't know if we've even got the right target yet. I'm... I'm not ready to declare war.

  Aaron Shore : All due respect, sir, that's a decision you can only make if you remain president, and it didn't look likely six hours ago.

  Tom Kirkman : What you did wasn't just duplicitous or cynical, it was directly insubordinate.

  Aaron Shore : Sir, perhaps you've noticed you're surrounded by people who would love to see you fail. I want to help you succeed. Sir, I want to help you thrive. What I did was a bold move. I admit it. And I believe it was the best one. If you can't see it that way...

  [unzipping his portfolio, he pulls out and offers Kirkman an envelope] 

  Aaron Shore : ...here's my letter of resignation. You can accept it at any time if you so choose.