The early departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis, which caught congressional leaders by surprise, adds to a growing number of Cabinet vacancies in the Trump…
The early departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis, which caught congressional leaders by surprise, adds to a growing number of Cabinet vacancies in the Trump administration as well as a confirmations backlog in the Senate.
President Trump on Sunday announced he is removing Mattis, who resigned on Thursday, two months earlier than his scheduled departure at the end of February.
Also due to depart at year’s end are Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
The Senate will have to hold hearings and vote to confirm their replacements, as well as vote on William Barr, whom Trump has appointed to succeed Jeff Sessions as attorney general, and Andrew Wheeler, the acting administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, whom Trump says he plans to nominate to permanently hold the post.
The president says he will replace Haley with State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
That means the Senate will be cluttered by five high-profile confirmation fights at the beginning of 2019.
A sixth confirmation battle could happen if Trump pushes out Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who has come under fire from the president.
