# Who will be the first Trump cabinet member to leave after he's inaugurated

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Tags:** trump\
**Created:** [December 3, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122 "2024-12-03T16:15:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/1 "2024-12-03T16:15:22Z")

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Either by choice or otherwise.

We’ve already seen the fall of Matt Gaetz, but I don’t count him here, as neither he nor Trump had actually taken office yet.

I predict RFK Jr. will be the first to go. Ideologically, he’s a wild card, and the main reason Trump’s cohorts are willing to overlook his more hippy-dippy views right now, is a) most of them don’t really give a shit about health and human services, b) those few who do are in alignment with his antivax views, which is probably what he’s best known for nowadays, and c) most importantly, they see his appointment as a good way to troll the libs.

But, once he starts trying to take a hard line against the fast food industry, that’s now going to sit well with the boss or his supporters. And once he starts going after Big Pharma, that’s not going to sit well with some of the GOP’s big donors.

The moment he tries to do something really out there, like call for a ban on sugary drinks, or for fast food restaurants to use only beef from free range, grass fed, organic cattle (which would of course cause the price of hamberders to skyrocket), Trump will unceremoniously shitcan him via Twuth Social and two seconds later claim that he barely knew the guy.

I give him 3.5 Scaramuccis.

Pete Hegseth is another guy I can’t see having a productive, yearslong career in the Trump administration, assuming he even get confirmed by the Senate. The guy comes off as a creep of the highest order, and I’d been stunned if he didn’t have a hoard of skeletons hiding in his closet, op top of what’s already come out. Won’t be long, I imagine, before something emerges that’s so heinous (perhaps accompanied by photos and or video, because he just seems like that type of guy), that even the Republicans can’t just brush it off. At that point, Trump will do his usual routine of saying he only met the guy once or twice when he fetched him coffee, and then give him the boot.

I give him about 4.2 Scaramuccis.

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**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/2 "2024-12-03T16:30:58Z")

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Are you talking just the 15 heads of departments or anyone in the extended cabinet? If the latter, I’d go with Border Czar Tom Homan. He’s going to realize very quickly that he won’t be able to get even close to what Trump wants but will be taking the blame for the immigration/deportation failures. He’s done his time in government and he’ll see life is easier and more lucrative as a political commentator than a crony in this iteration of the Trump Administraton.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/3 "2024-12-03T16:31:47Z")

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Aside… do we need to establish the “Gaetz” as a unit of _time (not) served_ for people who voluntarily withdraw before their nominations are voted on?

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**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/4 "2024-12-03T16:45:52Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> “Gaetz” as a unit

I think the better unit for that is the “Kotz”. It is German for vomit.  
ETA: And I don’t know who will be the first to leave. All have good reasons, but the first one will do it for the wrong reasons. It is unpredictable. But it will be discussed with much rejoicing in the Schadenfreude thread.

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**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/5 "2024-12-03T18:40:25Z")

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This is a difficult question to answer since we have no idea if all of these nominees will ever be approved by the Senate.

If he gets through I don’t see RFK JR lasting long because he has definite views on some issues that will conflict with the GOP/MAGA types.

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**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/6 "2024-12-03T18:49:15Z")

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Just so we’re all clear, how long is a Scaramucci? I’m thinking that it’s about 11 days, but I’m unsure.

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**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/7 "2024-12-03T20:04:58Z")

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> [@Saint\_Cad](#):
>
> Are you talking just the 15 heads of departments or anyone in the extended cabinet? If the latter, I’d go with Border Czar Tom Homan. He’s going to realize very quickly that he won’t be able to get even close to what Trump wants but will be taking the blame for the immigration/deportation failures. He’s done his time in government and he’ll see life is easier and more lucrative as a political commentator than a crony in this iteration of the Trump Administraton.

For this thread I’m willing to include the extended cabinet, like all the Czars, FBI Director, Social Security Administrator, you get the idea.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/8 "2024-12-03T20:06:16Z")

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For the purposes of this thread, a Scaramucci is 11 days, so 3.5 Scaramuccis is 38.5 days.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/9 "2024-12-03T20:06:50Z")

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> [@Spoons](#):
>
> Just so we’re all clear, how long is a Scaramucci?

10 days or just over 1/3 moon cycle periods.  
July 21 to July 31

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/10 "2024-12-03T20:17:32Z")

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Thank you both!

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**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/11 "2024-12-03T21:09:42Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> do we need to establish the “Gaetz” as a unit of _time (not) served_

I think “Gaetz” is better used as a threshold level of awfulness, the threshold beyond which even Republicans won’t support the person. So far, everyone else is still below One Gaetz. We could calibrate fractional Gaetz values based on how many confirmation votes they get.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/12 "2024-12-03T22:16:25Z")

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I like that. 👍🏼

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**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/13 "2024-12-04T00:26:34Z")

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Caligula has always been the gold standard for ridiculous appointees, but trump is overwhelming him with sheer numbers. So far, nothing but amoral trump suck ups. And his enablers in Congress smile.

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**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/14 "2024-12-04T01:54:13Z")

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AG is the one Trump will be most certain to have on speed dial. No matter what Pam Bondi does, it may not be enough. So that’s my guess.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/15 "2024-12-04T03:30:09Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> Aside… do we need to establish the “Gaetz” as a unit of _time (not) served_ for people who voluntarily withdraw before their nominations are voted on?

Well, here’s a new one:

> **[Trump Transition and Cabinet Picks: Live Updates](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/03/us/trump-biden-news?unlocked_article_code=1.e04.ZZ_e.uh7lr1VH9mUb&smid=url-share)**

**“Trump Transition Updates: Pick to Lead D.E.A. Pulls His Name From Consideration”**

> Sheriff Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, withdrew his name from consideration for the office on Tuesday, only three days after he was tapped. Sheriff Chronister, from the Florida county that is home to Tampa, was a surprising choice to run the D.E.A., the nation’s top drug enforcement agency. While he had a 30-year career in local law enforcement, he had no experience in the geopolitical aspects of the drug war.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/16 "2024-12-04T03:58:28Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> > Sheriff Chad Chronister

Now there’s a name destined to be a unit of time!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/17 "2024-12-04T04:11:51Z")

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> [@Horatius](#):
>
> We could calibrate fractional Gaetz values based on how many confirmation votes they get.

Republican confirmation votes I think is more appropriate.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/18 "2024-12-04T16:08:40Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> > Sheriff Chronister, from the Florida county that is home to Tampa, was a surprising choice to run the D.E.A., the nation’s top drug enforcement agency. While he had a 30-year career in local law enforcement, **he had no experience in the geopolitical aspects of the drug war.**

My bold.

Sounds perfect. Apparently having no experience in the field you are to oversee is the primary qualification to be on Trump’s team.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/19 "2024-12-04T16:43:04Z")

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Why would anyone in the Trump administration care about geopolitical anything? All aspects of Trump international relations is “You do what I tell you to. AMERICA FIRST.”

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**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-first-trump-cabinet-member-to-leave-after-hes-inaugurated/1011122/20 "2024-12-04T17:03:42Z")

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> [@Horatius](#):
>
> > [@ThelmaLou](#):
> >
> > > Sheriff Chad Chronister
> 
> Now there’s a name destined to be a unit of time!

Trump seems to like names that could belong to cartoon mascots for time-saving apps aimed at young professionals. (See also H.R. McMaster.)

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