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Tracking turnover in the Trump administration

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For media inquiries, contact:Editor's Note:Because Donald Trump's tenure in the White House has ended, this page will no longer be updated. It will remain in its current state as a resource for historical data.The rate of turnover among senior-level advisers to President Trump has generated a great deal of attention. Below, we offer two sets of resources to help measure and contextualize this turnover. The first set of resources tracks turnover among senior-ranking advisers in the executive office of the president (which does not include Cabinet secretaries); tracks turnover in the Cabinet.The following chart and table reflect turnover among the most influential positions within the executive office of the president. This data is compiled and tracked by Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow , who refers to this group of advisers as the president’s “A Team.” The list of positions that make up the “A Team” is based on National Journal “Decision Makers” editions, and Dunn Tenpas’s&nbsp;methodology is described in detail in a she published in January 2018. The chart and table below will be updated as additional members of the “A Team” depart their positions. It is important to note the following:Set out below is a list of the senior level departures from the executive office of the president since the beginning of the Trump administration (each of the 65 “A Team” positions is only counted once toward the turnover rate, thus, this chart only includes the first person to hold/depart a given position). Highlighted text indicates a position that went through multiple instances of turnover; .YearPositionNamePrior JobNature of departure*Date of departure announcementWhere to?Successor1Senior Director for Africa, NSCRobin TownleyMarinesResigned Under Pressure (RUP)2/10/2017Sonoran Policy GroupCyril Sartor1Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary, NSCKeith KelloggCubic DefensePromoted2/13/2017Acting National Security AdviserFrederick Fleitz1National Security AdviserMichael FlynnTrump CampaignRUP2/13/2017UnknownH.R. McMaster1Assistant to the President (AP) and Senior Counselor for Economic InitiativesDina PowellGoldman SachsPromoted3/15/2017Deputy National Security Adviser for StrategyUnknown1Deputy Chief of StaffKatie WalshRNCRUP3/30/2017America First Policies, then RNC (7/21/17)Kirstjen Nielsen1Deputy National Security AdviserKT McFarlandTV analystRUP5/19/2017Ambassadorial nomination withdrew/unknownDina Powell/Ricky Waddell1AP and Communications DirectorMichael DubkeBlack Rock GroupRUP5/30/2017Georgetown University lecturer, Black Rock GroupAnthony Scaramucci**1Press SecretarySean SpicerRNCRUP7/21/2017Worldwide Speakers GroupSarah Huckabee Sanders1Principal Deputy Press SecretarySarah Huckabee SandersTrump CampaignPromoted7/21/2017Press SecretaryRaj Shah1AP and Chief of Staff to the VPJosh PitcockCapitol HillResigned7/28/2017OracleNick Ayers1Chief of StaffReince PriebusRNCRUP7/31/2017Law firmJohn Kelly1Senior Intelligence Director, NSCEzra Cohen-WatnickU.S. Government (DIA)RUP8/2/2017OracleMike Barry1AP and Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to the PresidentSteve BannonMediaRUP8/18/2017Breitbart NewsUnknown1AP and Director of Public LiaisonGeorge SifakisGov’t RelationsRUP8/18/2017IdeagenJustin Clark1Deputy AP and Director of Presidential AdvanceGeorge GigicosConsultingRUP8/22/2017ConsultingRobert L. Peede1National Security Adviser for VPAndrea ThompsonMcChrystal GroupPromoted9/11/2017Special Adviser in the Office of Policy Planning, U.S. State DepartmentLt. Gen. (Ret) Keith Kellogg, Jr.1AP and Director of Strategic CommunicationsHope HicksTrump OrganizationPromoted9/12/2017Communications Director**Mercedes Schlapp1DAP and Deputy Communications Director and Research DirectorRaj ShahRNCPromoted9/12/2017Principal Deputy Press SecretaryUnknown1Deputy AP and Director of Oval Office OperationsKeith SchillerTrump OrganizationRUP9/20/2017Private Security ConsultingJordan Karem1Deputy AP and Deputy White House CounselGreg KatsasLaw FirmResigned11/28/2017Federal judge, DC CircuitUttam Dhillon1AP and Director of Communications, Office of Public LiaisonOmarosa ManigaultReality TelevisionRUP12/13/2017Celebrity Big BrotherPosition abolished1Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Director of Budget PolicyPaul WinfreeHeritage FoundationResigned12/15/2017Heritage FoundationLance Leggitt1AP and Deputy Chief of Staff for PolicyRick DearbornU.S. Senate staffResigned12/23/2017 resignation announced, departed 3/13/2018The Cypress GroupChris LiddellYearPositionNamePrior JobNature of departure*Date of departure announcementWhere to?Successor2AP and Staff SecretaryRob PorterU.S. Senate StaffRUP2/7/2018UnknownDerek Lyons2Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, NSCDaniel GreenwoodMarinesPromoted2/9/2018Lateral move to Deputy AP and Deputy Director of Legislative AffairsPaul J. Miller2AP and Director of Presidential PersonnelJohn DeStefanoU.S. House of Representatives StaffPromoted2/9/2018AP and&nbsp; Counsel to the President overseeing Public Liaison, Personnel and Political AffairsSean Doocey (DAP)2AP for Intergovernmental and Technology InitiativesReed CordishReal EstateResigned2/16/2018Partner, Cordish CompaniesBrooke Rollins2AP and Director of the National Economic CouncilGary CohnGoldman SachsResigned3/6/2018UnknownLarry Kudlow2CIA DirectorMike PompeoMember, House of Representatives (R-KS)Promoted3/13/2018Secretary of StateGina Haspel2DAP and Director of Intergovernmental AffairsJustin ClarkTrump CampaignPromoted3/13/2018Director, White House Office of Public LiaisonDouglas Hoelscher2Deputy CIA DirectorGina HaspelCIAPromoted3/13/2018CIA DirectorVaughan Bishop2AP and Director for Strategic InitiativesChris LiddellWME/IMGPromoted3/19/2018Deputy Chief of StaffUnknown2AP for Homeland Security and CounterterrorismThomas BossertAtlantic CouncilRUP4/10/2018UnknownDoug Fears***2DAP and Director of Policy and Interagency CoordinationCarlos Diaz-RosilloHarvard UniversityPromoted6/19/2018Senior Deputy Chairman, National Endowment for the HumanitiesUnknown2DAP and&nbsp;and Senior Adviser to the Chief of StaffSean CairncrossRNCPromotedUnknown (nominated for MCC 1/5/18)Millennium Challenge Corp.Unknown2Deputy Director, National Economic Council and International Economic AffairsEverett EissenstatSenator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)Resigned7/15/2018General MotorsClete Willems2AP and White House Director of Legislative AffairsMarc ShortTrump CampaignResigned7/20/2018Guidepost Strategies and UVAShahira Knight2DAP and&nbsp;Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice PresidentJen PavlikOffice of Governor PenceResignedAugust 2018KeystoneUnknown2Counsel to the PresidentDonald McGahnTrump CampaignResigned10/17/2018Jones DayPat Cipollone2SAP and Director of Communications for the First LadyStephanie GrishamTrump CampaignPromotedNovember 2018Deputy Chief of Staff for CommunicationsUnknown2DAP and Director of White House Management, Office of AdministrationMarcia Lee KellyRNCResignedNovember 2018Trump Reelection CampaignMonica Block2DAP and Political DirectorBill StepienTrump CampaignResigned12/7/2018Trump Reelection CampaignBrian Jack2OMB DirectorMick MulvaneyMember, House of Representatives (R-SC)Promoted12/14/2018Acting Chief of StaffRussell VoughtYearPositionNamePrior JobNature of departure*Date of departure announcementWhere to?Successor3AP and Director of Domestic Policy CouncilAndrew BrembergRNCPromotedJanuary 2019U.S. Representative to UN in GenevaJoe Grogan3Administrator, OIRANeomi RaoGeorge Mason Law SchoolResigned3/13/2019Federal judge, D.C. CircuitPaul Ray3SAP and Director of Organizational Structure and Human CapitalKirk Ryan MarshallTrump campaignPromotedMarch 2019DAP and Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Organizational StructureUnknown3Member, White House Council of Economic AdvisersRichard BurkhauserProfessorResignedMay 2019Cornell UniversityUnknown3Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy, and Science; OMBJames P. HerzSenior Policy Analyst, Budget Committee; House of RepresentativesPromoted6/1/2019Chief Performance Officer, The Department of EnergyUnknown3Chair, White House Council of Economic AdvisersKevin HassettAmerican Enterprise InstituteResigned6/2/2019UnknownTomas Philipson (acting)3DAP and Cabinet SecretaryWilliam McGinleyJones DayResigned6/28/2019 (July departure)Vogel GroupKristan King Nevins3Senior Director for Europe and Russia, NSCFiona HillBrookings InstitutionResigned6/17/2019 (August departure)UnknownTim Morrison3Director of National IntelligenceDan CoatsU.S. SenatorRUP7/28/2019King and SpaldingJohn Ratcliffe3AP and Special Representative for International NegotiationsJason GreenblattTrump OrganizationResigned9/5/2019UnknownAvi Berkowitz3Senior Director for Asia, NSCMatthew PottingerU.S. Marine CorpsPromoted9/22/2019Deputy National Security AdviserUnknownYearPositionNamePrior JobNature of departure*Date of departure announcementWhere to?Successor4Deputy AP and Deputy Communications Director and Research DirectorJessica DittoOffice of Ky. Gov. Matt Bevin; Trump campaignResigned3/30/2020Private sectorUnknown4AP and Chief of Staff to the First LadyLindsay ReynoldsThe LBR Group/event planningResigned4/6/2020Family timeStephanie Grisham4AP and Director of Social MediaDan ScavinoTrump campaignPromoted4/21/2020AP and Deputy Chief of Staff for CommunicationsUnknown4Deputy AP for Legislative Affairs and Senate Deputy DirectorAmy SwongerInvariant GR, PrincipalPromoted6/5/2020AP and Acting Director of the Office of Legislative AffairsUnknown4Counselor to the PresidentKellyanne ConwayTrump campaignResigned8/24/2020UnknownUnknown4DAP and Senior Director for South and Central AsiaLisa CurtisHeritage FoundationResigned1/8/2021Center for New American SecurityUnknownSUMMARY: 60/65 (92%) “A Team” positions have turned over.* Author’s note: The departure status was difficult to determine in some cases because media reports were often at odds with an individual’s claim that they were resigning. In the end, the category “resigned under pressure” was created to capture the general sentiment at the time of their departure. Highlighted text indicates a position that went through multiple instances of turnover; see the “Serial turnover” section below for more details.** Author’s note: Anthony Scaramucci was communications director for 11 days. He was succeeded by Hope Hicks, who resigned Feb. 28, 2018. On July 5, 2018, Bill Shine was appointed to the White House communications director role with a slightly different official title, “Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications”; he resigned on March 8, 2019. Stephanie Grisham subsequently took over both the communications director and press secretary roles.*** Author’s note: After Thomas Bossert’s departure, incoming National Security Adviser John Bolton folded the position of “AP for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism” into the National Security Council with the new title of “Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor.”Sources: Multiple news websites, LinkedIn, WhiteHouse.gov, and other government websites.The turnover data above include only the president’s initial team of advisers and when one departs, the position falls out of the sample. One of the limitations of this approach is that it does not consider multiple departures within a single position, a common phenomenon within the Trump team. Set out below are the “A Team” positions that have had more than two occupants.PositionOriginalReplacement 1Replacement 2Replacement 3Replacement 4Replacement 5Replacement 6Chief of StaffReince PriebusJohn KellyMick Mulvaney (acting)Mark MeadowsDeputy Chief of Staff**Katie WalshKirstjen NielsenZachary FuentesEmma DoyleJohn FlemingChief of Staff to the VPJosh PitcockNick AyersMarc ShortChief of Staff to the First LadyLindsay ReynoldsStephanie GrishamUnknownCommunications Director*Michael DubkeAnthony ScaramucciHope HicksBill ShineStephanie GrishamAlyssa FarahUnknownPress SecretarySean SpicerSarah Huckabee SandersStephanie GrishamKayleigh McEnanyDirector of Strategic CommunicationsHope HicksMercedes SchlappUnknownPrincipal Deputy Press SecretarySarah Huckabee SandersRaj ShahHogan GidleyBrian R. MorgensternDirector of Public LiaisonGeorge SifakisJustin ClarkTimothy PatakiDirector of Oval Office OperationsKeith SchillerJordan KaremMadeleine WesterhoutNicholas F. LunaDirector of Presidential PersonnelJohn DeStefanoSean DooceyJohn McEnteeStaff SecretaryRob PorterDerek LyonsUnknownDirector of Presidential AdvanceGeorge GigicosRobert L. PeedeMax MillerUnknownDeputy White House Counsel**Greg KatsasUttam DhillonPatrick PhilbinNational Security AdviserMichael FlynnHR McMasterJohn BoltonRobert C. O’BrienDeputy National Security AdviserKT McFarlandDina Powell/Ricky WaddellNadia SchadlowMira RicardelCharles KuppermanMatthew Pottinger/Victoria Coates***UnknownAP for Homeland Security and CounterterrorismThomas BossertDoug FearsPeter BrownJulia NesheiwatChief of Staff and Executive Secretary, NSCKeith KelloggFrederick FleitzJoan Virginia O’HaraMatthias MitmanSenior Director of Intelligence, NSCEzra Cohen WatnickMichael BarryMichael EllisSenior Director for Europe and Russia, NSCFiona HillTim MorrisonAndrew PeekTom WilliamsRyan TullyUnknownSenior Director for Africa, NSCDerek HarveyCyril SartorElizabeth Erin WalshDirector of Domestic Policy CouncilAndrew BrembergJoe GroganBrooke Rollins (acting)Deputy Director, National Economic Council and International Economic AffairsEverett EissenstatCletus WillemsKelly Ann ShawThomas StorchFrancis BrookeChair, White House Council of Economic AdvisersKevin HassettTomas Philipson (acting)Tyler Goodspeed (acting)UnknownDeputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Director of Budget PolicyPaul WinfreeLance LeggittJenniver Bardley LichterWhite House Director of Legislative AffairsMarc ShortShahira KnightEric UelandAmy SwongerAP for Intergovernmental and Technology InitiativesReed CordishBrooke RollinsUnknownSUMMARY: 27/60 (45%) “A Team” departures have turned over twice or more.* Author’s note: For the purposes of this study, we count Michael Dubke as the first communications director, since Sean Spicer was serving in a temporary capacity until the Trump administration filled the job with a permanent candidate.** Author’s note: Notice that there are multiple deputies under the chief of staff and White House counsel. The data reflect an attempt to track just a single deputy position and note the successor. However, there is minimal publicly available information on presidential staffing. It is also the case that a new chief of staff may not have a “first among equals” deputy chief of staff, such that the role may have changed since the original occupant. The same is true for White House Counsel. While Greg Katsas may have been the “first among equals” among the Deputy White House Counsel positions in 2017, the role may have changed under the new White House Counsel, Pat Cipollone.*** Author’s note: Upon the departure of former Deputy National Security Adviser Charles Kupperman, National Security Adviser Robert C. O’Brien divided the duties of that position between Matthew Pottinger and Victoria Coates. On Feb. 20, 2020, the National Security Council said that Coates had left the position and been reassigned as a senior adviser to Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette; on Jan. 7, indicated that Pottinger had resigned.&nbsp;The chart and table below are dedicated to tracking turnover in the Cabinet. They will also be updated as additional turnover occurs. Unlike the trackers above dedicated to the president’s “A Team,” these resources look at every departure from the president’s Cabinet, even if multiple people have occupied that position.The current table of Cabinet-level turnover has been updated from a previous version, , that was based on a different methodology; this change was made on May 21, 2019. This newer table provides data going back to President Reagan (1981) and adheres to a strict definition of Cabinet by only including the heads of the executive departments. While presidents often promote a position like EPA administrator to Cabinet-level status, these appointments are ad hoc, can be short-lived, and make it difficult to compare over time. Given the variability, we only include Senate-confirmed Cabinet members who are in the presidential line of succession, since this allows for greater consistency and standardization. More information on this update is available in . Additionally, since Reagan’s presidency, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security have been added to the list (increasing from 13 to 15 positions). Year of departure is determined by the date a Cabinet member announced they were resigning, regardless of their final end date.Set out below is a list of departures from the president’s Cabinet since the beginning of the Trump administration.YearPositionNamePrior JobNature of DepartureDate of Departure AnnouncementWhere to?Successor1Secretary of Homeland SecurityJohn F. KellyU.S. Marine CorpsPromoted7/28/2017White House Chief of StaffKirstjen Nielsen*1Secretary of Health and Human ServicesTom PriceMember of the HouseResigned under pressure (RUP)9/29/2017Jackson HealthcareAlex Azar2Secretary of StateRex TillersonExxonRUP3/13/2018UnknownMike Pompeo2Secretary of Veterans AffairsDavid ShulkinU.S. Government (VA)RUP3/28/2018UnknownRobert Wilkie2Attorney GeneralJeff SessionsU.S. SenatorRUP11/7/2018UnknownWilliam Barr*2Secretary of DefenseJim MattisRetiredProtest Resignation (PR)12/20/2018General DynamicsMark Esper*2Secretary of InteriorRyan ZinkeMember of the HouseRUP12/15/2018Artillery OneDavid Bernhardt3Secretary of Homeland SecurityKirstjen NielsenDeputy Chief of StaffRUP4/7/2019UnknownKevin McAleenan (acting)* → Chad Wolf (acting)*3Secretary of LaborAlex AcostaFIU College of LawRUP7/12/2019UnknownGene Scalia3Secretary of EnergyRick PerryPresidential candidate/Governor of TexasResigned10/17/2019UnknownDan Brouillette4Secretary of DefenseMark EsperU.S. Secretary of the ArmyRUP11/9/2020UnknownChristopher C. Miller (acting)4Attorney GeneralWilliam BarrKirkland &amp; Ellis LLPResigned12/14/2020UnknownJeffrey A. Rosen4Secretary of TransportationElaine ChaoHudson InstituteResigned1/7/2021UnknownUnknown4Secretary of EducationBetsy DeVosThe Windquest GroupResigned1/7/2021UnknownUnknown* Author’s note: An asterisk by the name of a successor denotes that individual is no longer serving in the Cabinet.Sources: Agency websites, presidential library websites, and various news sources. Thanks to Elaine Kamarck and Nick Zeppos, who contributed to the initial data collection for this section.Report Produced byViewed as a leading, independent voice in the domestic policymaking sphere, the Governance Studies program at Brookings is dedicated to analyzing policy issues, political institutions and processes, and contemporary governance challenges. Our scholarship identifies areas in need of reform and proposes specific solutions to improve governance worldwide, but with a particular emphasis on the United States.Get daily updates from Brookings

For media inquiries, contact:Editor's Note:Because Donald Trump's tenure in the White House has ended, this page will no longer be updated. It will remain in its current state as a resource for historical data.The rate of turnover among senior-level advisers to President Trump has generated a great deal of attention. Below, we offer two sets of resources to help measure and contextualize this turnover. The first set of resources tracks turnover among senior-ranking advisers in the executive office of the president (which does not include Cabinet secretaries); tracks turnover in the...

Tracking turnover in the Trump administration

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