For the uninitiated . . .

Presidential Emergency Action Documents, commonly known as PEADs, are a crucial part of the United States' strategy for maintaining the continuity of government during a significant crisis or emergency. These pre-established orders outline the actions that the President and the executive branch can take to ensure the sustained operation of federal authority and responsibility under potentially catastrophic conditions.

However, PEADs remain one of the most classified aspects of the U.S. government. The precise content and the actual number of these documents are undisclosed. They are believed to encompass a wide range of emergency scenarios, from major terrorist attacks to devastating natural disasters. Hypothetically, these documents could permit the suspension of certain civil liberties, the initiation of mass evacuations, or the enforcement of martial law, among other severe measures, all with the aim of protecting the continuity of the government and public safety. But, without public access to these documents, their complete contents and reach are subject to speculation and debate.