Mattis departure leaves Trump Cabinet increasingly thin
By Alexander Bolton - 12/23/18 05:15 PM EST
The early departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis, which caught congressional leaders by surprise, adds to a growing number of Cabinet vacancies in the Trump administration as well as a confirmations backlog in the Senate.
President Trump on Sunday announced he is removing Mattis, who resigned on Thursday, two months earlier than his scheduled departure at the end of February.
Also due to depart at year’s end are Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
The Senate will have to hold hearings and vote to confirm their replacements, as well as vote on William Barr, whom Trump has appointed to succeed Jeff Sessions as attorney general, and Andrew Wheeler, the acting administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, whom Trump says he plans to nominate to permanently hold the post.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/422681-mattis-departure-leaves-trump-cabinet-increasingly-thin