President-elect Donald Trump is set to enact sweeping changes in key government positions as he prepares for his upcoming inauguration, with several resignations already announced under the looming shift of power.
The Washington Examiner reported that these appointments and resignations mark a clear redirection of policy and administration significantly altering the leadership landscape established under President Biden.
Following the announcement of his election victory, Trump has wasted no time in restructuring his Cabinet and various agencies.
This has led to a mix of new appointments and some holdovers from the Biden administration. Notably, while some have opted to resign, including IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, others await their fate under the new regime.
On the heels of the transition, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel resigned, citing the incoming administration as a key reason, despite his term not yet expiring.
The power of incoming presidents to nominate new leaders for roles without fixed terms, such as the Secretary of State, underscores the significant authority the president-elect holds in shaping his administration.
The FBI also experiences transitions with Director Christopher Wray, who led the controversial raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022, announcing his resignation last December. Trump has since nominated Kash Patel, a notable figure in his previous administration, as Wray's successor, signaling major changes in leadership style and priorities.
In the Department of Justice, Special Counsel Jack Smith, known for his role in prosecuting Trump and investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, also announced his decision to step away.
This resignation pairs with the upcoming appointment of Andrew Ferguson as the head of the Federal Trade Commission, succeeding Chairwoman Lina Khan whose future remains uncertain though she has lingering support from within the administration.
FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan, recognized for her rigorous approach to tech industry regulation, finds herself in an ambiguous position. While Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has praised her efforts, saying she is "one of the few people in the Biden administration that I think is doing a pretty good job," her tenure as Chairwoman is set to end.
Trump has designated Andrew Ferguson to lead the FTC, which will still initially have a 3-2 Democratic majority.
In more targeted replacements, Trump plans to instate Harmeet Dhillon, known for her legal actions against what Trump describes as discriminatory "woke" policies, replacing Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Kristin Clarke. Trump lauds Dhillon for having "stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties."
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will see a reorganization under Trump with Marvin Kaplan expected to be appointed as Acting Chairman.
Furthermore, Trump’s strategy involves a long-term reshaping of the board, with plans to nominate two new Republican members in 2025, aiming to establish a Republican majority.
Other significant departures include EEOC General Counsel Karla Gilbride, expected to either resign or be removed soon. Such moves are indicative of Trump’s broader strategy to instill his governance philosophy, impacting various aspects of federal oversight and legal interpretations.
Analysts are closely watching these transitions, noting the strategic timing and implications of each departure and appointment.
Owen Tedford from Beacon Policy Advisors explains, "Our sense is [Khan’s] trying to stick around to have as much influence as she can on these ongoing cases. She’ll lose that influence once she’s not chair," highlighting the inevitable changes in influence and policy direction these leadership shifts bring.