Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Trump's senior women officials — Noem, Bondi, Gabbard, Chavez-DeRemer, Leavitt — depart
The president of the United States has helpers who do very important jobs for the country.
This story is about some of the women who held those jobs during President Trump's second term.
By the middle of 2026, four of them had left their jobs.
Some were fired, and some chose to quit.
Each woman left for different reasons, such as arguments, problems at work, investigations, or personal choices.
In every case, a man was chosen to take over the job.
The newest person to leave is the woman who talks to reporters for the White House, Karoline Leavitt.
She wants to spend more time with her young children, so she will leave at the end of August.
Even after leaving, she will still help the president from outside.
The changes happened for different reasons, but they all involved very important jobs in the government.
By mid-2026, four women had departed President Donald Trump's Cabinet or senior national security positions through firing or resignation, with men replacing each of them.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was fired on March 5, 2026, amid scrutiny over immigration enforcement operations; Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin succeeded her.
Attorney General Pam Bondi was ousted in early April 2026 following controversy over the Justice Department's handling and release of Jeffrey Epstein files; Todd Blanche replaced her.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on April 20, 2026, amid an internal Department of Labor investigation into allegations of fraud, misconduct and abuse of power; Keith E. Sonderling became acting secretary.
Tulsi Gabbard left as director of national intelligence effective June 30, 2026, after criticism over politicizing the intelligence community, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of August 2026.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and senior women officials in his second administration: Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Tulsi Gabbard and Karoline Leavitt.
- What
- Four women departed Cabinet-level or senior national security positions through firing or resignation by mid-2026, each replaced by a man, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt set to leave at the end of August 2026.
- When
- Between March and August 2026 — Noem fired March 5; Bondi ousted in early April; Chavez-DeRemer resigned April 20; Gabbard's departure effective June 30; Leavitt leaving at the end of August.
- Where
- The United States federal government.
- Why
- Political disagreements, leadership controversies, investigations and personal reasons, including Leavitt's desire to spend more time with her young children.
- President
- Donald Trump (second administration)
- Women departed by mid-2026
- 4 Cabinet-level or senior national security officials: Noem, Bondi, Chavez-DeRemer, Gabbard
- Kristi Noem
- Fired as Homeland Security secretary on March 5, 2026; succeeded by Markwayne Mullin
- Pam Bondi
- Ousted as attorney general in early April 2026; replaced by Todd Blanche
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer
- Resigned as Labor secretary on April 20, 2026; Keith E. Sonderling became acting secretary
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Left as director of national intelligence effective June 30, 2026; succeeded by Jay Clayton
- Karoline Leavitt
- Press secretary stepping down at end of August 2026 to spend time with her young children
- Common pattern
- Every vacated position was filled by a male successor