The Trump administration is facing a spike in departures of powerful Cabinet department officials compared to his first term, according to the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.More than two dozen Senate-confirmed officials have left their Cabinet department positions so far during President Donald Trump’s second term, the nonprofit’s analysis found.The departure of 27 officials in high-ranking positions far outpaces the total numbers in recent prior administrations, including Trump’s first term, when 11 Senate-confirmed officials in Cabinet department positions left their roles over the course of the four years.
The data analyzed by the Partnership for Public Service did not include departures of Senate-confirmed Cabinet department officials who were nominated under different administrations, nor did it include U.S.attorneys, U.S.
marshals or ambassadors.Using the same parameters, only one Senate-confirmed Cabinet department official left during the Biden administration, as well as seven during President Barack Obama’s second term and five during President George W.
Bush’s second term, according to the nonprofit.Senate-confirmed officials depart their roles for a variety of reasons, including moving to other government positions and jobs that also require Senate confirmation.Billy Long, for example, had served as IRS commissioner, a Cabinet department position that required Senate confirmation.
Trump removed him last year, and he was confirmed this year as ambassador to Iceland.Others have been fired or pushed out.Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired in April amid internal Defense Department tensions between top officials.
Other Senate-confirmed officials in the Defense Department have been fired, too, including Air Force Lt.Gen.
Jeffrey Kruse, who was ousted as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency; Navy Vice Adm.Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S...