Trump's 2.0 Cabinet welcomed women, but they've been the first to leave
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President Trump staffed his second-term Cabinet with more women than his first term and than his Republican predecessors, but three women have lost their seat at the table in less than two months.
The big picture: The departure of the women isn't surprising — all three were facing bipartisan pressure over various shortcomings and scandals. But several men in the president's inner circle have their own controversies and remain at their posts.
The latest: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer left the administration for the private sector, a somewhat expected departure following lingering scrutiny over several misconduct scandals.
- Her exit followed that of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
What they're saying: There were valid reasons why those three said their goodbyes, Debbie Walsh, the director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University tells Axios.
- "It's not that you wouldn't think that a president would let a Bondi or a Noem or a Chavez-DeRemer go," she says. "But it's why only those three and not others."
Zoom out: FBI Director Kash Patel and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have each faced calls to resign, but both remain in their jobs.
- Democrats have also accused Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose controversies began even before his confirmation, of abusing his power.
Yes, but: One prominent male did get shuffled: Mike Waltz left his position as Trump's national security adviser to become the U.S. ambassador at the United Nations after taking "full responsibility" for the Signalgate scandal.
- Waltz's prominence in the administration remains, as he is considered a key figure for the White House's messaging on the war in Iran.
By the numbers: Frances Perkins became the first woman in a presidential Cabinet less than 100 years ago. Since then, around 60 women have followed in her footsteps, per Axios' tally.
- Though exact counts vary based on titles considered Cabinet-level, President Biden holds the record for the most women in his Cabinet.
- Trump has also made history by naming Susie Wiles as the first female White House chief of staff.
Five women remain in Trump's Cabinet: Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
- At one point, Trump seemed ready to dismiss Gabbard but was ultimately dissuaded, Axios' Marc Caputo reported.
What they're saying: "President Trump has always been supported by many incredible, hardworking, and inspiring women – including those who serve in his Cabinet," White House spokesman Taylor Rogers told Axios in a statement.
- "Across the Trump administration, all of the agencies continue to implement the President's America First agenda."
Friction point: The departures come against the backdrop of the administration's broader evisceration of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the federal workforce.
- In the U.S. military, where Hegseth has demanded colorblind, gender-neutral standards, women who achieved historic leadership firsts have been ousted from top ranks with little explanation.
- DEI had become part of the modern cultural zeitgeist, but those diversity gains took a swift hit following Trump's re-election. Much of the progress American society has made to diversify the spaces where decisions are made has been because of "intentional work," Walsh says.
- She adds, "if we had just waited for white men in power to say we want to share this power ... we would be waiting a very long time."
Go deeper: Equal rights fight under Trump 2.0 shifts to the states
