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A (not-so-brief) Timeline of Trump Administration Turnover

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This White House has the highest turnover of any recent administration. Who’s leaving?

Lauren Aguirre
Lauren Aguirre

Apr 20 | 2018

Trump’s staff has the highest turnover within the first year out of the past five administrations. So far, as of April 16, 2018, a total of 32 of staffers and cabinet members have either resigned or been fired. While turnover is expected in the high stress environment of the White House, the frequency of exits is unprecedented. Who are the administration members who have left and been replaced? Here’s a timeline of the most important officials who have left the administration.

Feb. 13, 2017 National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was the first to be forced out of the administration. This was over concerns that Flynn lied to administration officials about the nature of his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

May 9, 2017 FBI Director James Comey was fired. Trump said he felt frustrated by Comey’s testimony about the FBI investigation into Russia’s meddling during the 2016 campaign and the possible contacts with Trump advisers. This came out after the administration said Trump fired Comey based on recommendations from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

June 2, 2017 White House Communications Director Mike Dubke resigned from his post. He told colleagues that his reasons were personal.

July 21, 2017 — White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned. This followed after he had told Trump he disagreed with his appointment of Anthony Scaramucci to replace Dubke as communications director.

July 28, 2017 White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was forced out of his position after a tumultuous six months in the position. He was widely viewed as weak and ineffective.

July 31, 2017 White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci was fired days after just 10 days. This came after ranting to a reporter about his co-workers. He described them as paranoid and mentally ill while throwing in a few choice curse words. Scaramucci was fired by the new chief of staff John Kelly.

A visual timeline of Trump Administration exits Graphic by Lauren Aguirre

Aug. 18, 2017 Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon was fired shortly after Kelly took over as chief of staff. Bannon was a highly controversial figure in the administration. He was a former head of Breitbart News — a far right-wing website that puts a heavy spin on its stories.

Aug. 25, 2017 — Adviser Sebastian Gorka was forced out shortly after Bannon left the administration. He was a former Breitbart News writer and was closely aligned with Bannon.

Sept. 20, 2017 Director of Oval Office Operations Keith Schiller resigned shortly after Kelly came in as chief of staff. Schiller was a longtime aide and bodyguard to Trump since before he started his political career. Schiller was hired by the Republican National Committee.

Sept. 29, 2017 Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price resigned surrounding controversy that he used taxpayer money to fund thousands of dollars in travel bills and chartered flights.

Dec. 13, 2017 Communications Director for the Office of Public Liaison Omarosa Manigault Newman was fired by Kelly. Newman was a former contestant on Trump’s reality show The Apprentice.

Jan. 18, 2018 Chief of External Affairs for Corporation for National and Community Service Carl Higbie resigned after CNN reported on disparaging remarks he had made in the past about black people, Muslims, LGBT, and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jan. 31, 2018 Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Brenda Fitzgerald resigned over her financial investments in tobacco and health care companies that created potential conflicts of interest.

Feb. 7, 2018 White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter resigned a day after his two ex-wives accused him of physical abuse during their marriages.

Feb. 9, 2018 White House Speechwriter David Sorensen resigned after reports of accusations from his ex-wife saying he abused her during their marriage.

March 13, 2018 Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired by tweet. Trump had posted that he would replace Tillerson with Mike Pompeo, the CIA director.

March 22, 2018 National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster resigned after it became clear that Trump no longer wanted him. He was replaced by John Bolton, who is a hardline former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

March 28, 2018 Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin was fired by Trump after weeks of uncertainty. He was replaced by Trump’s White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson, a rear admiral in the navy.

March 29, 2018 White House Communications Director Hope Hicks resigned. She had worked with Trump for years and was an important adviser on the campaign. In late February, she announced that she would resign in the coming weeks.

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