Published on January 20, 2025
This presidential action, dated January 20, 2025, appears to be a massive leadership transition document that appoints acting officials to nearly every major cabinet and agency position in the federal government. The directive invokes constitutional and statutory authority to simultaneously install acting heads across all major departments and agencies, including military branches, intelligence agencies, and executive departments.
The simultaneous replacement of virtually all senior leadership positions in the federal government on Inauguration Day 2025 suggests a coordinated effort to rapidly consolidate control across the entire executive branch. The timing and comprehensive nature of these appointments, combined with their "acting" status which bypasses Senate confirmation requirements, indicates a potential strategy to circumvent traditional checks and balances while installing potentially loyal individuals across critical positions of power. This could represent an unprecedented power grab disguised as a routine transition of authority.
While presented as a standard transition document, this sweeping directive fundamentally restructures federal leadership in a way that merits serious scrutiny. The installation of acting officials across all major agencies simultaneously, particularly on Inauguration Day, suggests a calculated strategy to rapidly secure control of the federal government's key functions while avoiding traditional oversight mechanisms. The public should be particularly attentive to how these acting appointments evolve and whether they are eventually replaced with Senate-confirmed officials.
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.