WASHINGTON
During Donald Trump’s first term as US president, many high-ranking officials came and went from his administration as disagreements over time led to their dismissal.
His unorthodox management style saw many of these dismissals announced on social media, generating widespread media attention and controversy.
As he prepares to return to the Oval Office, Trump is once again gathering his team, bringing back memories of these frequent firings and the ex-officials with whom he publicly clashed and showed the door.
James Comey – FBI Director
James Comey was appointed FBI director by President Barack Obama in 2013 but was fired by Trump in 2017.
Statements from Trump and the White House indicated that Comey was dismissed to relieve the pressure Trump faced from the ongoing Mueller investigation.
The Robert Mueller special counsel investigation, led by special prosecutor Robert Mueller from May 2017 to March 2019, focused on allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and examined potential links to Trump.
Jeff Sessions – Attorney General
Jeff Sessions was appointed attorney general in 2017. Trump frequently criticized Sessions, particularly for recusing himself from an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Due to their ongoing disagreements, Sessions resigned under pressure in 2018.
Trump publicly attacked Sessions multiple times via X, formerly Twitter, and in public comments.
Rex Tillerson – Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson was appointed secretary of state in 2017.
He frequently disagreed with Trump on foreign policy, particularly regarding North Korea and Iran. In 2018, Trump dismissed him from his post.
Trump announced on Twitter that he had dismissed Tillerson and appointed former CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his successor.
Michael Flynn – National Security Advisor
Michael Flynn was appointed national security advisor in 2017.
Flynn resigned after it was revealed he misled Vice President Mike Pence and others about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US.
“I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!” Trump tweeted.
He was later investigated for his ties to Russia and was eventually pardoned by Trump.
H.R. McMaster – National Security Advisor
H.R. McMaster was appointed national security advisor in 2017.
McMaster disagreed with Trump’s approach to foreign policy, particularly in relation to Russia and other international issues. He left the Trump administration in 2018.
Trump publicly criticized McMaster on Twitter after he stated at a forum in Germany that it was “incontrovertible” that Russia had meddled in the 2016 election.
“General McMaster forgot to mention that the results of the 2016 election were not affected by Russian interference and that the only collusion was between Russia and Crooked H, the DNC, and the Dems,” Trump had said on Twitter.
John Bolton – National Security Advisor
John Bolton replaced McMaster as national security Advisor in 2018.
But, he also went on to clash with Trump on several foreign policy issues, especially regarding Iran and North Korea.
In 2019, Trump axed Bolton, saying on Twitter that he had “disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions.”
Elaine Chao – Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Chao was appointed secretary of transportation in 2017.
After criticizing certain aspects of Trump’s policies, Chao resigned in 2021 following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
She became the highest-ranking administration official to step down over the incident and the first Cabinet member to resign.
David Shulkin – Secretary of Veterans Affairs
David Shulkin was appointed secretary of veterans affairs in 2017.
He was dismissed in 2018 due to policy differences with the administration and ethical concerns related to his use of public funds.
In 2018, Trump announced on Twitter that Shulkin had been dismissed and would be temporarily replaced by Robert Wilkie.
Shulkin faced criticism for his travel expenses and allegations of inadequate care at Veterans Affairs health centers.
