Trump administration faces record turnover in second term
More Senate-confirmed officials left President Donald Trump’s second administration in the first 18 months than any other 21st century administration, according to a nonpartisan organization’s review of turnover released Wednesday.
A review by the Partnership for Public Service, a group focused on improving the federal government, found that as of Monday, 27 Senate-confirmed officials in Cabinet departments had left the administration; That surpassed the 11 departures in the first 18 months of Trump’s first administration, which was known for its turnover.
The departures affected 13 ministries and included three Cabinet secretaries: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi NoemAttorney General Pam Bondi and Minister of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Other high-profile officials who have departed include Navy Secretary John Phelan and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez.
The review also found that the administration was slow to fill vacancies because Trump sent fewer nominees to the Senate than during his first term. It does not include U.S. attorneys, U.S. police chiefs or ambassadors who have left or been nominated for these positions.
“Turnover on this scale not only weakens the leadership levels of government, it also concentrates power in the hands of the president,” Chris Piper of the Partnership for Public Service wrote in a blog post. “If left unaddressed, much of the government will be run by officials appointed without the constitutionally required advice and consent of the Senate and will be less able to do the jobs Americans need.”
“President Trump has the most talented Cabinet in American history, and every day he tries to implement his common-sense America First agenda. In just over a year, the President and his Cabinet have made our country greater than ever with the most secure border in history, the largest middle-class tax cut ever, and the lowest murder rate since 1900. The President and his entire administration will continue to tirelessly implement the Trump agenda and achieve tremendous results for the American people,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in a statement to CNN.
While every president has appointed officials in an “acting” capacity to temporarily circumvent the Senate confirmation process, Trump has done so more frequently and openly, CNN reported: previously reported.
Trump said during his first term: “Acting gives you a lot more flexibility. It’s a lot easier to do things.”
This title has been updated.
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