A report released Wednesday by the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, found that Senate-confirmed officials in the current administration are resigning at higher rates than in previous years. According to the analysis, 27 Senate-confirmed officials—representing 11.4% of such positions—have departed. This figure compare to 11 departures at the same point during the first Trump administration and an average of 4.3 departures during the first 18 months of the Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations.
The analysis noted that the departed officials served an average of eight months, with approximately 30% of them spending more time in the Senate confirmation process than in their actual roles. Among the vacancies are three Cabinet secretary positions and the heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the IRS. The report also indicated that the current administration has made the fewest nominations for vacant roles since the Reagan administration.
Chris Piper, a researcher for the Partnership for Public Service, stated that the reliance on acting officials to fill these vacancies allows the executive branch to bypass the Senate’s advice and consent process. Piper said this trend could reduce transparency regarding agency leadership and hinder long-term planning. In response to the report, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales stated that the administration remains focused on implementing its agenda and achieving results for the public.