George Sairas becomes President of the United States after Kira drives his predecessor, David Hoope, to suicide. Where Hoope resisted, Sairas surrenders outright — disbanding the SPK and publicly announcing the U.S. will no longer pursue Kira, a decision that effectively hands Kira global political legitimacy and forces Near’s team to go fully independent.
An older Western man with a receding hairline of short grey or blond hair, a sharp angular face, and rectangular dark-rimmed glasses. Always in formal presidential attire, and visibly more fatigued and weary as his term wears on under Kira’s shadow.
Pragmatic and survivalist above all else. Unlike Hoope, who chose death over submission, Sairas prioritizes his own safety and his nation’s stability, showing open fear and gratitude when dealing with Kira directly. He’s capable enough to keep public order, but has none of the moral resolve needed to actually oppose the New World — and dresses the surrender up publicly as a move for global peace.
Sairas takes office in 2009 after Hoope’s death, and almost immediately receives a direct call from Kira congratulating him and demanding the U.S. cease tracking him entirely, including publicly disbanding the SPK. Fearing for his life, Sairas complies, holding a press conference that frames the surrender as a rational response to falling crime and ending wars. For the following years, his administration operates in uneasy coexistence with Kira, using American law enforcement to hunt down anti-Kira “infidels” to keep up appearances of loyalty. He remains President through the end of the series, left to lead a country that spent years effectively ruled by a supernatural killer.
vs. Kira — Political Threat (Ch. 77)
Kira contacts Sairas immediately after his inauguration, threatening the same fate as his predecessor unless he disbands the SPK. Sairas submits completely, stripping the SPK of official government backing and forcing Near to continue operating as an independent, underground team.
Major: Ch. 77.
Minor: Ch. 80.
Mentioned only: Ch. 78, 83, 108.
David Hoope
His predecessor, whose failed, defiant stance against Kira is the direct reason Sairas chooses total submission instead.
Light Yagami (Kira)
His true master in all but name — Sairas trades political cover for his own survival.
Near
Abandoned along with the rest of the SPK once Sairas caves to Kira, though Near continues the investigation without U.S. backing regardless.
“I–Is this a joke…?” — Chapter 77, on first contact with Kira
“First, let me tell you how grateful I am about the United States supporting me.” — Chapter 77, to Kira
- The first U.S. President in the series to publicly treat Kira as a legitimate, godlike force of justice, even if only under duress.
- One of the few high-ranking world leaders to survive the entire Kira era — purely by being willing to submit.
🇯🇵 Japanese Voice Actors
Tahara, Aruno
🇯🇵 Japanese
🇺🇸 English Voice Actors
Dobson, Michael
🇺🇸 English