As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office, his incoming administration is set to bring significant changes to the federal leadership, notably from the previous Biden-era appointments according to The Washington Examiner.
This transition involves replacing current heads of several major agencies, including the IRS, FBI, FTC, and DOJ, with newly nominated individuals by Trump, signaling a marked shift in leadership.
Trump has put forth a comprehensive list of nominations for his cabinet and key agency positions, aiming to reshape the federal bureaucracy.
Among the notable changes, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel has resigned, making way for Trump's chosen successor, former Rep. Billy Long. This nomination underscores Trump's intention to steer the agency's direction in alignment with his administration's policies.
In a significant move, FBI Director Christopher Wray, who played a pivotal role in the 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid, announced his resignation in December. Trump has tapped Kash Patel for the top position at the Bureau, reflecting his plans to reorient the FBI's leadership.
Another critical change involves the Department of Justice, where Special Counsel Jack Smith, involved in legal proceedings against Trump concerning classified documents and the January 6 Capitol attack, stepped down last week. The resignation marks a notable vacancy that Trump is likely to fill with an ally to advocate for his legal perspectives.
As these changes unfold, the question of FTC Chair Lina Khan's future looms large. Although Vice President-elect J.D. Vance previously commended her work, Trump announced Andrew Ferguson as her successor as head of the FTC.
Despite Khan stepping down as chairwoman, she retains the option to remain a commissioner until Trump's chosen nominee, Mark Meador, is confirmed.
However, with Ferguson's appointment, the FTC faces a challenging scenario where he must manage an immediate 3-2 Democratic majority, potentially affecting his decision-making capacity.
As the Biden appointees strive to maintain influence over ongoing cases, some predict that Khan's impact will diminish once her tenure as chair ends. Owen Tedford observed, “Our sense is she’s trying to stick around to have as much influence as she can on these ongoing cases. She’ll lose that influence once she’s not chair.”
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is another focal point for leadership change. General Counsel Karla Gilbride is expected to resign or be replaced by Andrea Lucas, signaling a shift towards policies less supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
A significant shake-up is anticipated within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General Kristin Clarke is likely to be succeeded by Harmeet Dhillon, recognized by Trump for her commitment to defending civil liberties against what he perceives as excessive corporate DEI policies.
Trump expressed admiration for her resolve, noting her efforts in "suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers.” This change indicates a potential redirection of the division's focus under Dhillon's guidance.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is also poised for reorganization under Trump's administration.
Marvin Kaplan, the sole Republican currently on the board, is expected to be appointed as the acting chairman. His appointment is anticipated to shift the board's balance toward a Republican majority.
These planned transitions reflect a broader strategy by the President-elect to align federal agencies with his administration's priorities and policy goals. By replacing key figures from the Biden administration, Trump is poised to implement a leadership structure more sympathetic to his political and ideological vision.
