A new analysis from the Partnership for Public Service reveals that the Trump administration has seen a sharp acceleration in departures of Senate-confirmed officials during its second term. Over the past 18 months, 27 such appointees have left their posts, representing 11.4 percent of all confirmed officials—more than double the 11 who left by the same point in Trump's first term.
This turnover rate also surpasses the first 18 months of the Bush, Obama, and Biden presidencies, according to the nonprofit's data. The exodus has continued into July, with four officials resigning in the first two weeks alone, including Energy Department CFO Tina Pierce and Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health Maj. Gen. John Bartrum.
Three Cabinet secretaries have left their roles this year: Kristi Noem (Homeland Security), Pam Bondi (Justice), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Labor). Noem now serves as the administration's special envoy to a coalition targeting Western Hemisphere drug trafficking. Markwayne Mullin has taken over DHS, while acting Attorney General Todd Blanche awaits full Senate confirmation after a hearing last week; the Judiciary Committee is set to vote Thursday on advancing his nomination.
At Labor, Trump nominated acting Secretary Keith Sonderling to replace Chavez-DeRemer. Sonderling faced the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee last week. The analysis also notes significant churn at Health and Human Services, where four confirmed officials have left under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and at Treasury, where six have departed under Secretary Scott Bessent.
Overall, Trump has made 578 nominations so far—fewer than any administration since Ronald Reagan's. However, one key position has seen zero turnover: chief of staff. Susie Wiles, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, has held the role for the entire second term, making her Trump's longest-serving chief of staff. By contrast, four individuals held the post during his first term: Reince Priebus, John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows.
The high turnover comes amid broader political headwinds. Trump's approval rating has slipped to 36 percent, with a majority disapproving, according to a recent poll. The president is also pitching new “Trump Accounts” to address affordability concerns during a Georgia visit. Meanwhile, the administration faces international tensions, including intensified trade talks with Canada after new tariffs.
The Partnership for Public Service's findings underscore a volatile executive branch, where Senate-confirmed officials are departing at an unprecedented rate. Whether this trend continues will depend on confirmation battles and the administration's ability to retain talent.
