Donald Trump presidential Cabinet, 2017-2021
"The Cabinet" was a group of 16 individuals, including the vice president, who advised the president on matters regarding the executive department that he or she oversaw. An additional seven appointees had Cabinet-rank status. Members were nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet at the end of his term appear below.[1] At the beginning of President Trump's term, the Cabinet consisted of 24 total positions. However, he demoted the Ambassador to the United Nations midway through his term, effective with the departure of Nikki Haley, so his final Cabinet only consisted of 23 positions.[2]
This page provides information about Trump's Cabinet during his first term in office. To read about Trump's Cabinet during his second term in office, click here.
Cabinet members not requiring U.S. Senate confirmation
- Vice President Mike Pence (R) was elected on November 8, 2016, and sworn into office on January 20, 2017.
Mike Pence
Cabinet members requiring U.S. Senate confirmation
The following were members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet. The roles are listed in order of succession to the presidency.
Mike Pompeo
Steven Mnuchin
Christopher C. Miller
Jeffrey Rosen
David Bernhardt
Sonny Perdue
Wilbur Ross
Eugene Scalia
Alex Azar
Ben Carson
Steven Bradbury (acting)
Dan Brouillette
Mick Zais (acting)
Robert Wilkie
Peter Gaynor (acting)
Appointees with Cabinet-rank status
An additional seven appointees had Cabinet-rank status but were not in the line of succession. These individuals are not traditionally considered to be Cabinet members.
All appointees with Cabinet-rank status, with the exception of chief of staff, required confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Mark Meadows
Andrew Wheeler
Russell Vought
Robert Lighthizer
John Ratcliffe
Gina Haspel
Jovita Carranza
Members of President Trump's original Cabinet
The following were members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet at the beginning of his term.[3] The roles are listed in order of succession to the presidency.
Mike Pence
Rex Tillerson
Steven Mnuchin
James Mattis
Jeff Sessions
Ryan Zinke
Sonny Perdue
Wilbur Ross
Alexander Acosta
Tom Price
Ben Carson
Elaine Chao
Rick Perry
Betsy DeVos
David Shulkin
John Kelly
Reince Priebus
Scott Pruitt
Mick Mulvaney
Robert Lighthizer
Dan Coats
Mike Pompeo
Linda McMahon
Nikki Haley
Former Cabinet members
34 percent turnover among Trump senior staff during first year in office
The Trump administration experienced a 34 percent turnover rate during the president’s first year in office.[4]
Rick Perry
Rick Perry was chosen by President Donald Trump for secretary of energy on December 13, 2016. The Senate confirmed Perry on March 2, 2017, by a vote of 62-37, and he was sworn into office on the same day.[5][6]
On October 17, 2019, Fox News reported that Perry planned to submit his resignation to President Trump by the end of the year.[7] He resigned after his successor Dan Brouillette was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 2, 2019.[8]
Reince Priebus
On July 28, 2017, Trump announced on Twitter that then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly would replace Reince Priebus as White House chief of staff. The chief of staff has Cabinet-rank status but is not in the line of succession.[9]
Tom Price
Tom Price left the administration on September 29, 2017. According to Politico, Price "resigned amid mounting outcry over his use of private jets and military aircraft for government business." A September 2017 Politico report found that Price "had taken at least 26 charter flights since May to conduct official business in the United States, costing taxpayers more than $400,000. The White House had also approved his use of military aircraft for trips to Africa, Europe and Asia, which cost more than $500,000."[10]
David Shulkin
David Shulkin was removed as secretary of veterans affairs by Trump on March 28, 2018. Trump wrote in a tweet, "I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!" Shulkin, the only member of Trump's Cabinet to be unanimously confirmed by the Senate, was fired amid allegations that he misused taxpayer dollars for personal travel.[11]
Rex Tillerson
On March 13, 2018, Trump announced that Rex Tillerson would step down as secretary of State. Trump wrote in a tweet, "Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!"[12][13] He officially stepped down from the position on March 31, 2018.[14]
Scott Pruitt
On July 5, 2018, Trump announced that Scott Pruitt had resigned as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt's resignation was effective on July 6, 2018. Trump wrote in a tweet, "I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this. The Senate confirmed Deputy at EPA, Andrew Wheeler, will on Monday assume duties as the acting Administrator of the EPA. I have no doubt that Andy will continue on with our great and lasting EPA agenda. We have made tremendous progress and the future of the EPA is very bright!"[15][16]
Jeff Sessions
On November 7, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions submitted his letter of resignation at Trump's request. Sessions said, "I have been honored to serve as Attorney General and have worked to implement the law enforcement agenda based on the rule of law that formed a central part of your campaign for the Presidency."[17]
Trump announced on Twitter that Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, would serve as acting attorney general until a new one is nominated and confirmed. Trump tweeted, "We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well. We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date."[17]
Nikki Haley
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced on October 9, 2018, that she would resign from the position at the end of the year to take a break from public service. Haley said, "It’s been eight years of intense time and I’m a big believer in term limits. You have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job.”[18]
While sitting in the Oval Office together, Trump said of Haley, “She’s done a fantastic job and we’ve done a fantastic job together.” Following Haley's departure, Trump demoted the ambassador to the United Nations from the Cabinet.[18]
John Kelly
On December 8, 2018, Trump announced that White House chief of staff John Kelly would leave the position at the end of the year. In his announcement, Trump said, "I appreciate his service very much."[19]
James Mattis
On December 20, 2018, Trump announced that Secretary of Defense James Mattis would retire at the end of February 2019.[20] On December 23, 2018, Trump announced that Mattis would leave office by January 1, 2019.[21]
Mattis announced his resignation on December 20, 2018, in a letter to Trump. Mattis wrote,
| “ | [W]e must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. NATO's 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.
Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model - gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions - to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense. My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances. Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.[23] |
” |
Mattis' resignation came after Trump announced his decision to remove troops from Syria.
Ryan Zinke
On December 15, 2018, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that he would leave the Trump administration. He formally left his position on January 2, 2019.[24]
In a tweet, Trump said, "Ryan has accomplished much during his tenure and I want to thank him for his service to our Nation."[24]
Zinke wrote in a tweet, "I love working for the President and am incredibly proud of all the good work we’ve accomplished together. However, after 30 years of public service, I cannot justify spending thousands of dollars defending myself and my family against false allegations."[24]
Kirstjen Nielsen
On April 7, 2019, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen resigned from the position.[25]
In a resignation letter, Nielsen said, "I have determined that it is the right time for me to step aside. I hope that the next secretary will have the support of Congress and the courts in fixing the laws which have impeded our ability to fully secure America’s borders and which have contributed to discord in our nation’s discourse."[25]
Trump thanked Nielsen for her service in a tweet: "Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be leaving her position, and I would like to thank her for her service."[26]
Linda McMahon
On April 12, 2019, the Small Business Administration Administrator, Linda McMahon, stepped down from her role to chair the America First Action PAC.[27]
Alexander Acosta
Acosta stepped down from his position as secretary of labor on July 19, 2019. He was replaced by Eugene Scalia.[28]
Kevin Hassett
Following his election as the 45th President of the United States in 2016, Donald Trump and his transition team considered individuals to fill the position of chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. Kevin Hassett was confirmed to the position on September 12, 2017, and sworn in on September 13, 2017.[29] On June 4, 2019, Hassett resigned from the Council of Economic Advisors.[30]
Mick Mulvaney
Michael "Mick" Mulvaney was the director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. President Donald Trump chose him for the position on December 16, 2016. He was confirmed by the Senate on February 16, 2017.[31][32]
Mulvaney also served as the acting White House chief of staff for President Donald Trump from January 2, 2019, to March 30, 2020.[33][34] On March 30, 2020, President Trump announced Mulvaney would become the United States special envoy to Northern Ireland.[35][36] Mulvaney resigned as United States special envoy to Northern Ireland on January 7, 2021.[37]
Mark Esper
Mark Esper was the secretary of defense for the U.S. Department of Defense. He served from July 23, 2019, until his termination on November 9, 2020.[38]
William Barr
On December 14, 2020, Barr announced that he would be leaving his role as attorney general, effective December 23, 2020. President Donald Trump stated in a tweet that Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen would become acting attorney general after Barr's departure.[39]
Betsy DeVos
On January 7, 2021, DeVos announced that she would be resigning as secretary of education effective January 8, 2021.[40]
Elaine Chao
Elaine Chao was chosen by President Donald Trump for secretary of transportation on November 29, 2016. She was confirmation by the Senate on January 31, 2017. She resigned on January 11, 2021, and was replaced by acting secretary Steven Bradbury.[41]
Days from nomination to confirmation for Trump's Cabinet and Cabinet-rank officials
The chart below tracked the number of days from nomination to confirmation for Trump's Cabinet and Cabinet-rank officials. It also included the vote by which each member was confirmed. Here are some highlights:
- There was an average of 37 days between nomination and confirmation for Cabinet and Cabinet-rank officials.
- There were 119 days between nomination and confirmation for Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors Kevin Hassett.
- There were zero days between nomination and confirmation for both Secretary of Defense James Mattis and former Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly.
- Two of the 32 Cabinet and Cabinet-rank officials nominated by Trump were confirmed by a simple majority of 51 votes.
- Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos had no Democratic support for her nomination. She was confirmed by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote. Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney was confirmed by a vote of 51-49.
Senate rules for confirming executive branch nominees
The U.S. Senate's advice and consent authority for presidential nominations is located in the Appointments Clause of Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which reads:
| “ | And he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law...[23] | ” |
After the president sends a nomination to the Senate, most are considered by the appropriate Senate committee. The nominee then testifies before the committee, and the committee holds a vote to report the nomination to the full Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation. The committee can also choose to take no action at all.[42]
The full Senate can approve or reject a nomination. Most nominations are brought up by unanimous consent and approved without objection. Routine nominations often are grouped by unanimous consent in order to be brought up and approved together. Some nominations, generally to higher-level positions, may need more consideration. Under Senate rules, there are no time limits on debate except when conducted under cloture or a unanimous consent agreement. Senators may speak on a nomination for as long as they want.[42]
Senate Rule XXII provides a means to end debate on a nomination. At least 16 senators must sign a cloture motion to end debate on a pending nomination. A senator can interrupt another senator who has been recognized in order to present a cloture motion. Cloture may be moved only on a question that is pending before the Senate. Therefore, the Senate must be in executive session and considering the nomination when the motion is filed in the absence of unanimous consent. The Senate does not vote on the cloture motion until the second session day after the day the cloture motion is presented. Once cloture is invoked, there is a 30-hour maximum of post-cloture consideration, including debate, quorum calls, parliamentary inquiries, and all other proceedings.[42]
According to a March 2018 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, “Cloture votes used to be almost unheard of for nominations other than judges. At this point in the past four presidencies combined, only 15 executive-branch nominees were confirmed after cloture. Yet in the current Congress, Democrats have already invoked cloture on more than 50 Trump nominees.”[43]
After the 30 hours of debate passes, the Senate then votes to confirm or reject the nomination. Nominations that are not confirmed or rejected are returned to the president.[42]
Noteworthy events
August recess canceled (2018)
On June 5, 2018, citing Democrats’ obstruction of Trump’s nominees and the need to pass appropriations bills, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) canceled most of the Senate’s August recess. McConnell said in a statement, “Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the president’s nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled. Senators should expect to remain in session in August to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the president’s nominees.”[44]
The Senate was scheduled to leave Capitol Hill on August 3, 2018, and return in September after Labor Day. Under the revised schedule, senators returned to their states for the week of August 6, 2018, and returned to Washington, D.C., for the rest of the month.
David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, called the cancelation a move to prevent Democrats from campaigning ahead of the midterm elections. He said, "Given his horrendous recruits, Senator McConnell is right to be terrified of Senate Democrats on the campaign trail, but whenever the GOP Congress is in session they find new ways to alienate and disgust voters."[45]
Lankford proposes rules changes (2019)
On February 6, 2019, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) proposed S.R. 50, which sought to limit post-cloture debate from 30 hours to two hours for several types of nominations, including many Executive Branch nominees and district court judges. The resolution did not propose changing the rules for Supreme Court or Cabinet-rank nominees. The U.S. Senate voted 51-49 on S.R. 50 on April 2, 2019, but it failed to receive enough votes to pass. It required 60 votes to change the rules for the remainder of the 116th Congress and 67 votes to become a permanent rule change.[46][47]
In a press release announcing the resolution, Lankford said:[48]
| “ | In the last two years, the confirmation process has been mired in unprecedented political stall tactics. The Senate nomination process needs to function efficiently again. Presidents, regardless of their party, should be able to pick their staff. It’s the Senate’s role to ensure nominees are capable and qualified; we have a responsibility to provide advice and consent. Needless obstruction of that process is a failure of our duty. This resolution would permanently reduce post-cloture debate time for most nominations and allow the Senate to fulfill a primary constitutional duty of advice and consent. It is time to update the Senate rules so the nomination process can function appropriately again.[23] | ” |
Senate limits post-cloture debate on presidential nominees (2019)
On April 3, 2019, the Senate voted to change the body's precedent and reduce post-cloture debate allowed on executive nominees below the Cabinet-level and federal district court nominees from 30 hours to 2 hours. Two separate votes on executive nominees and judicial nominees passed 51-48. All but two Senate Republicans—Susan Collins (R-Me.) and Mike Lee (R-Ut.)—voted for the changes, while all Senate Democrats who voted opposed the changes. To enact the changes, the Senate used the nuclear option rather than changing its standing rules.[49]
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said his caucus pursued the change due to obstruction by Senate Democrats. He said, "The all-encompassing, systematic nature of this obstruction is not part of the Senate’s important tradition of minority rights. It is a new departure from that tradition. And this break with tradition is hurting the Senate, hamstringing our duly elected president, and denying citizens the government they elected." He also said that many Democrats privately supported the change and would favor it if they controlled the White House.[50]
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the change, particularly with regard to judicial nominees. He said, “Two hours for a lifetime appointment is unacceptable. Two hours for a lifetime appointment with huge influence on people’s lives is unacceptable. It’s ridiculous.”[49]
Senate Democrats also said McConnell pursued similar tactics while in the minority. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said, “[McConnell] seems to have completely forgotten the Obama administration. He led the most famous blockade that’s ever happened in the Senate. And that was the blockade of Merrick Garland … it was shameful.”[51]
McConnell responded by criticizing Senate Democrats for using the nuclear option to lower the cloture threshold from 60 votes to 51 votes in 2013. He said, “I said at the time I didn’t like the way it was done. And I thought maybe the other side would rue the day they did it. Amazingly enough, about a year and a half later I’m majority leader. Funny how these things change, isn’t it?”[49]
See also
- Donald Trump presidential Cabinet, 2017-2021
- Filibuster and reconciliation in the United States Congress
- Advice and Consent
- United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
Footnotes
- ↑ The White House, "The Cabinet," accessed December 16, 2016
- ↑ U.N. ambassador to no longer be Cabinet-level position accessed June 16, 2021
- ↑ The Cabinet Archive accessed June 16, 2021
- ↑ Statista, "How Does Trump's Turnover Compare to Other Presidents?" August 14, 2018
- ↑ NBC News, "Trump Picks Energy Department Opponent Rick Perry for Energy Secretary: Sources," December 13, 2016
- ↑ Decision Desk HQ, "Confirmation Vote of Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy," March 2, 2017
- ↑ Fox News, "Energy Secretary Rick Perry tells Trump he plans to resign, sources say," October 17, 2019
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Senate approves successor to Rick Perry as energy secretary," December 2, 2019
- ↑ Politico, "Priebus out as chief of staff, Gen. John Kelly to replace him," July 28, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Price has resigned as Health and Human Services secretary," September 29, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," March 28, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Washington Post," March 13, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J.Trump," March 13, 2018
- ↑ The Hill, "Tillerson doesn't thank Trump in post-firing speech," March 13, 2018
- ↑ Fox News, "Scott Pruitt's full resignation letter to President Trump," July 5, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J.Trump," July 5, 2018
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 The Hill, "Sessions out at Justice Department," November 7, 2018
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 The Hill, "Haley resigns as US ambassador to UN," October 9, 2018
- ↑ CBS, "Trump says chief of staff John Kelly will leave his job at end of year," December 8, 2018
- ↑ USA Today, "Defense Secretary Jim Mattis retiring, Donald Trump says," December 20, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "2 months early: Mattis leaving by Jan. 1," December 23, 2018
- ↑ CNN, "READ: James Mattis' resignation letter," December 21, 2018
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 The Hill, "Interior chief Zinke to leave administration," December 15, 2018
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 The New York Times, "Kirstjen Nielsen Out as Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary," April 7, 2019
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald Trump on April 7, 2019," accessed April 8, 2019
- ↑ Politico, "Linda McMahon to leave Cabinet for Trump 2020 PAC," March 29, 2019
- ↑ Politico, "Alexander Acosta stepping down as Labor secretary," July 12, 2019
- ↑ United States Senate, "Vote Number 194," accessed May 24, 2019
- ↑ The New Yorker, "Trump’s Top Economist Makes a Timely Exit," June 4, 2019
- ↑ The New York Times, "Trump Picks Mick Mulvaney, South Carolina Congressman, as Budget Director," December 16, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Senate confirms Mulvaney to head Office of Management and Budget," February 16, 2017
- ↑ ABC News, "Trump picks Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, as new acting White House chief of staff," December 14, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Mark Meadows to become White House chief of staff," March 6, 2020
- ↑ ABC News, "Trump picks Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, as new acting White House chief of staff," December 14, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Mark Meadows to become White House chief of staff," March 6, 2020
- ↑ CNBC, "‘I can’t stay here’ — Mick Mulvaney resigns from Trump administration, expects others to follow," January 7, 2021
- ↑ USA Today, "President Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper after contentious tenure", November 9, 2020
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Barr Departs Administration Early After Crossing Trump," December 14, 2020
- ↑ The New York Times, "Betsy DeVos, education secretary, is second cabinet member to resign," January 7, 2021
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao resigns, saying she is ‘deeply troubled’ by violence at the Capitol," January 12, 2021
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 United States Senate, "Nominations," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Breaking the Schumer Stall," March 27, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Sen. McConnell Press," June 5, 2018
- ↑ The Hill, "McConnell cancels Senate's August recess," June 5, 2018
- ↑ Senator James Lankford, "Senator Lankford Issues Statement on Votes to Change Senate Rules," April 3, 2019
- ↑ The Hill, "GOP advances proposal to change Senate rules," April 25, 2018
- ↑ Senator James Lankford, "Senator Lankford, Chairman Blunt Introduce Resolution to Reduce Needless Delays for Senate-Confirmed Nominees," February 6, 2019
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 The Hill, "GOP triggers 'nuclear option' to speed up Trump picks," April 3, 2019
- ↑ Politico, "Time to Stop the Democrats' Obstruction," April 1, 2019
- ↑ Politico, "Republicans trigger ‘nuclear option’ to speed Trump nominees," April 3, 2019
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See also
- Donald Trump
- Days from nomination to confirmation for Trump administration officials, 2017-2019
- Article II, United States Constitution
External links
Footnotes
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