Published on January 20, 2025
This presidential action, dated January 20, 2025, designates acting officials to fill key positions across the entire federal government cabinet and major agencies. The directive appoints 31 individuals in an acting capacity to serve as heads of major departments and agencies, including all cabinet-level positions and crucial national security roles, until permanent appointments can be made.
The timing and comprehensive nature of this action suggests a coordinated effort to install temporary leadership across the entire federal government simultaneously, potentially circumventing the normal congressional confirmation process. By appointing acting officials rather than permanent nominees, this action could be designed to sidestep Senate oversight while placing individuals who may be more amenable to executive control in positions of significant power, particularly in sensitive areas such as national security, law enforcement, and intelligence gathering.
While the action appears to ensure continuity of government operations during a transition period, the widespread replacement of leadership across all major federal agencies with acting officials creates a concerning precedent of concentrated executive power. The public should be particularly mindful of how these temporary appointments might affect agency independence and congressional oversight capabilities, especially given the critical nature of the positions involved.
Pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including but not limited to 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq., I hereby direct the following individuals to perform the functions and duties of the indicated positions in an acting capacity until the position is filled by appointment. Gary WashingtonSecretary of AgricultureJeremy PelterSecretary of CommerceRobert SalessesSecretary of DefenseMark AverillSecretary of the ArmyTerence EmmertSecretary of the NavyGary AshworthSecretary of the Air ForceDenise CarterSecretary of EducationIngrid KolbSecretary of EnergyDorothy FinkSecretary of Health and Human ServicesBenjamine HuffmanSecretary of Homeland SecurityMatthew AmmonSecretary of Housing and Urban DevelopmentWalter CruickshankSecretary of the InteriorJames McHenryAttorney GeneralVincent MiconeSecretary of LaborLisa KennaSecretary of StateDavid LebrykSecretary of the TreasuryJudith KaletaSecretary of TransportationTodd HunterSecretary of Veterans AffairsJames PayneAdministrator of the Environmental Protection AgencyEverett WoodelAdministrator of the Small Business AdministrationMatthew VaethDirector of the Office of Management and BudgetStacey DixonDirector of National IntelligenceJuan MillanUnited States Trade RepresentativeThomas Sylvester, Jr.Director of the Central Intelligence AgencyCharles EzellDirector of the Office of Personnel ManagementStephen EhikianAdministrator of General ServicesMichelle KingCommissioner of Social SecurityBrian DriscollDirector of the Federal Bureau of InvestigationJason GrayAdministrator of the United States Agency for International DevelopmentJanet PetroAdministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationCaleb VitelloDirector of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025.