Put yourself in a president’s shoes. Imagine the responsibility of running an entire country. Pretty heavy, right?
Good news. The President of the United States doesn’t shoulder the burden alone. He selects a group of people to support and advise him. Each president has an inner circle of advisors called a Cabinet. Cabinet members change with each new presidency.
The President’s Cabinet is made up of the Vice President, a White House Chief of Staff, several other advisors, and the men and women who head up 15 executive departments. They include the departments of agriculture, defense, the treasury, homeland security, health and human services, labor, education, and others.
The head of the Justice Department is called the Attorney General, but other Cabinet department leaders are called Secretaries.
The President’s selections are usually people who helped the President campaign for election (or reelection). The incoming president has great but not total influence over who makes up his team. As the Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance to campaign with him as his choice for Vice President. But thanks to the system of checks and balances provided for by the Constitution, the Senate must approve the choices for nearly all other appointees that make up the Cabinet. (Only the elected vice president and White House Chief of Staff do not need confirmation.)
Before Inauguration Day on January 20, the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for the Cabinet members. Then the Senate votes on the candidates before the new President takes the oath of office.
Who’s in the running for President-elect Trump’s Cabinet? Some are former members of Congress such as Florida Senator Marco Rubio (Secretary of State). Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth is a veteran and former co-host of a Fox News show.
It’s rare for the Senate to reject a Cabinet nominee, but it has happened. Of the more than 500 Cabinet nominations since 1789, nine have been rejected by the Senate. The most recent occurrence was in 1989. The Senate rejected George H. W. Bush’s nominee for the position of Secretary of Defense. It’s more common for candidates to withdraw before it’s time to vote. That happened late last year with Mr. Trump’s first nominee for Attorney General. It could happen again before January 20.
A new president’s appointment task doesn’t end with just the Cabinet. He also selects White House staff members and heads for 50 federal commissions. Each president is responsible for about 4,000 appointments. About 1,200 of those require Senate approval.
Just as President Joe Biden did when he was elected, President Trump needs prayer as he settles into office. He has many decisions to make—and each requires great wisdom.
by Bekah McCallum in Duluth, Georgia
Why? The Bible tells us that it’s good for leaders to have help and accountability. Even Moses needed it. (Exodus 18)
