The Obama Administration: Cabinet Overview
Cabinet and Administration
The Obama administration's Cabinet brought together a diverse group of bipartisan leaders, technocrats, and seasoned policymakers to navigate the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, enact historic healthcare reform, and reshape American foreign and environmental policy. Featuring notable figures across key departments, the team balanced political maneuvering with deep domain expertise to execute the president's agenda through significant legislative battles and complex international challenges.
People
Birth
Death
Origin
Age (Death)
| 1938 | |
|---|---|
| 1943 | |
| 1943 | |
| 1944 | |
| 1946 | |
| 1947 | |
| 1948 | |
| 1948 | |
| 1951 | |
| 1954 | |
| 1954 | |
| 1957 | |
| 1957 | |
| 1959 | |
| 1961 | |
| 1962 | |
| 1964 | |
| 1964 | |
| 1965 | |
| 1970 |
Timeline
Individual and shared events
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Element |
| Year | Cabinet and Administration |
|---|---|
| 1938 |
Birth of Leon Panetta (Period: June 28, 1938, Location: Monterey, California, United States)
|
| 1943 |
Birth of Robert Gates (Period: September 25, 1943, Location: Wichita, Kansas, United States)
Birth of John Kerry (Period: December 11, 1943, Location: Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, United States)
|
| 1944 |
Birth of Ernest Moniz (Period: December 22, 1944, Location: Fall River, Massachusetts, United States)
|
| 1946 |
Birth of Chuck Hagel (Period: October 4, 1946, Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States)
|
| 1947 |
Birth of Hillary Clinton (Period: October 26, 1947, Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States)
|
| 1948 |
Birth of Steven Chu (Period: February 28, 1948, Location: St. Louis, Missouri, United States)
Birth of Kathleen Sebelius (Period: May 15, 1948, Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States)
|
| 1951 |
Birth of Eric Holder (Period: January 21, 1951, Location: Bronx, New York City, New York, United States)
|
| 1954 |
Birth of Gina McCarthy (Period: May 3, 1954, Location: Brighton district, Boston, Massachusetts, United States)
Birth of Ashton Carter (Period: September 24, 1954, Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
|
| 1957 |
Birth of Jeh Johnson (Period: September 11, 1957, Location: New York City, New York, United States)
Birth of Janet Napolitano (Period: November 29, 1957, Location: New York City, New York, United States)
|
| 1959 |
Birth of Loretta Lynch (Period: May 21, 1959, Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States)
|
| 1961 |
Birth of Timothy Geithner (Period: August 18, 1961, Location: New York City, New York, United States (sources note Manhattan or Brooklyn))
|
| 1962 |
Birth of Lisa Jackson (Period: February 8, 1962, Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
|
| 1964 |
Birth of Arne Duncan (Period: November 6, 1964, Location: Hyde Park district, Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Birth of Susan Rice (Period: November 17, 1964, Location: Washington, D.C., United States)
|
| 1965 |
Birth of Sylvia Mathews Burwell (Period: June 23, 1965, Location: Hinton, West Virginia, United States)
|
| 1970 |
Birth of Samantha Power (Period: September 21, 1970, Location: London, England, United Kingdom)
|
| 1978 |
Whitewater Real Estate Controversy (Hillary Clinton)
Controversy Over Cattle Futures Trading Profits (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 1980 |
Issues Concerning Briefings and Information Provision to Congress by Intelligence Agencies (Robert Gates)
|
| 1985 |
Allegations Concerning Involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair (Robert Gates)
|
| 1990 |
Controversy Surrounding Rose Law Firm Billing Records (Hillary Clinton)
Criticism Surrounding Political Donations from Abortion-Related Organizations and Physicians (Kathleen Sebelius)
Testimony and Document Inquiries Regarding the Whitewater Controversy (Sylvia Mathews Burwell)
|
| 1993 |
Travelgate Controversy (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 1994 |
Issues Involving Omissions and Errors in Campaign Contribution Disclosures (Kathleen Sebelius)
Criticism Regarding the Response to the Rwandan Genocide (Susan Rice)
|
| 1996 |
Filegate Controversy (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 1997 |
Questions Concerning Asset Disclosures of McCarthy Group (Chuck Hagel)
|
| 2001 |
Procedural Issues Regarding the Pardon of Marc Rich (Eric Holder)
Non-payment Issue of Social Security and Medicare Taxes During Tenure at the International Monetary Fund (Timothy Geithner)
Criticism Surrounding Chicago Public Schools' School Closure Policy (Arne Duncan)
Criticism of Educational Disparities Associated with School Reforms (Arne Duncan)
|
| 2002 |
Criticism Over Compensation and Board Memberships with Energy-Related Companies (Ernest Moniz)
Criticism of Research on US Responses to Genocide (Samantha Power)
|
| 2004 |
Issues Surrounding the Employment Status and Legal Status of Domestic Workers (Timothy Geithner)
|
| 2006 |
Criticism Regarding Intelligence Assessments and Policy Judgments on the Iraq War (Robert Gates)
Policy Criticism Regarding the Prolongation of the War in Afghanistan (Robert Gates)
Allegations of Conflict of Interest with Natural Gas Research and the Energy Industry (Ernest Moniz)
Policy Criticisms Surrounding New Jersey Environmental Administration (Lisa Jackson)
|
| 2007 |
Conflict of Interest Concerns Regarding BP-Funded Energy Research Institutes (Steven Chu)
|
| 2008 |
Conflicts of Interest and Favoritism Criticism Concerning the AIG Rescue and Public Support for Financial Institutions (Timothy Geithner)
Criticism of Wall Street Favoritism in Financial Crisis Management (Timothy Geithner)
Criticizing Remarks Regarding Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Presidential Election (Samantha Power)
Criticism Regarding Response to the Lehman Brothers Collapse (Timothy Geithner)
|
| 2009 |
Use of Private Email Server During Tenure as Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton)
Allegations of Conflict of Interest Between the Clinton Foundation and Tenure as Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton)
Criticism Regarding CIA Drone Strikes (Leon Panetta)
Controversy Over CIA Secret Detention and Interrogation Policies (Leon Panetta)
Criticism Regarding Policy Decisions on the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars (Leon Panetta)
Supervisory Responsibility Issues Surrounding Operation Fast and Furious (Gun Tracking Operation, Eric Holder)
Political Criticism Surrounding the Policy of Civilian Trials for Terrorism Suspects (Eric Holder)
Criticism Involving Involvement in the Targeted Killing Policy Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Jeh Johnson)
Criticism Regarding Standardized Testing and Teacher Evaluation Systems (Arne Duncan)
Criticism Surrounding Federal Government Intervention in Education via Race to the Top (Arne Duncan)
Criticism Regarding the Review and Supervisory Framework of the Solyndra Loan Guarantee (Steven Chu)
Issue Concerning the Use of an Email Account Under the Alias Richard Windsor (Lisa Jackson)
Criticism of Scientific Review Procedures for the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding (Lisa Jackson)
Criticism Surrounding Department of Homeland Security Terrorism Threat Assessments (Janet Napolitano)
Correction Issues Regarding Statements on Border Security and Undocumented Immigrants (Janet Napolitano)
|
| 2011 |
Policy Criticism Regarding Shale Gas and Hydraulic Fracturing (Ernest Moniz)
Criticism Regarding Policy Responsibility for the Libyan Military Intervention (Samantha Power)
Issues Surrounding the Federal Loan Guarantee to Solyndra (Steven Chu)
|
| 2012 |
Criticism of EPA's Email Record Management and Freedom of Information Procedures (Lisa Jackson)
Citation for Contempt of Congress and Refusal to Disclose Department of Justice Documents (Eric Holder)
Criticism Regarding the Response to the Benghazi Attack (Hillary Clinton)
Criticism Over Statements Regarding Gasoline Price Increases (Steven Chu)
Criticism Concerning Inaccuracies in Explanations of the Benghazi Attack (Susan Rice)
Criticism Regarding the 2012 Benghazi US Consulate Attack (Leon Panetta)
Issues Concerning Hatch Act Violations (Kathleen Sebelius)
|
| 2013 |
Criticism Regarding Foreign Financial and Corporate Ties Upon Nomination as Secretary of Defense (Chuck Hagel)
Budget Management and Information Disclosure Issues at the University of California Office of the President (Janet Napolitano)
Criticism Regarding the Scale and Enforcement Policy of Immigrant Deportations (Jeh Johnson)
Political Criticism Regarding Budget Management Following the 2013 Government Shutdown (Sylvia Mathews Burwell)
Criticism Regarding US Policy Toward the Syrian Civil War (Samantha Power)
Criticism Over the Failed Launch of HealthCare.gov and Managerial Responsibility (Kathleen Sebelius)
|
| 2014 |
Human Rights Criticisms Concerning Immigrant Family Detention Policies (Jeh Johnson)
Political and Legal Disputes Regarding the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Sylvia Mathews Burwell)
Criticism of Regulatory Authority Concerning the Clean Water Rule (Gina McCarthy)
|
| 2015 |
Discussions Surrounding the FIFA Corruption Investigation and Conflicts of Interest During Tenure as Attorney General (Loretta Lynch)
Responsibility Issues Surrounding the EPA's Delayed Response to the Flint Water Crisis (Gina McCarthy)
Criticism of Abuse of Authority Regarding the Clean Power Plan (Gina McCarthy)
Resolution for Impeachment Against the EPA Administrator (Gina McCarthy)
|
| 2016 |
University Administration's Interference with State Audits (Janet Napolitano)
Discussions Surrounding the Department of Homeland Security's Electoral Cybersecurity Response (Jeh Johnson)
Unmasking Issue in Intelligence Reports Regarding US Citizens' Identities (Susan Rice)
Allegations of Intelligence Utilization Regarding the Trump Campaign's Ties to Russia (Susan Rice)
|
| 2021 |
Criticism Surrounding the Response to Migrant Child Labor Issues (Susan Rice)
|
| 2022 |
Campaign Finance Reporting Issue Surrounding Steele Dossier Research Expenses (Hillary Clinton)
Criticism Regarding Response to Climate Change Misinformation (Gina McCarthy)
Death of Ashton Carter
|
| 2023 |
Criticism Regarding Response to the Gaza Situation and Allegations of Genocide (Samantha Power)
|
| 2026 |
Controversy Over Political Neutrality as a Netflix Board Member (Susan Rice)
|
| Unknown |
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Crimes and Corruption (Ernest Moniz, Period: No confirmed definite cases)
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Crimes and Corruption (Gina McCarthy, Period: No confirmed definite cases)
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Crimes and Corruption (Lisa Jackson, Period: No confirmed definite cases)
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Crimes and Corruption (Samantha Power, Period: No confirmed definite cases)
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Crimes and Corruption (Susan Rice, Period: No confirmed definite cases)
No Official Confirmation of Serious Misconduct or Allegations of Wrongdoing (Ashton Carter, Period: No definite cases identified)
No Official Confirmation of Personal Corruption or Wrongdoing (Loretta Lynch, Period: No definite cases identified)
Confirmation Matters Regarding Personal Corruption or Criminal Misconduct (Steven Chu, Period: No definite cases identified)
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Corruption or Criminal Wrongdoing (Jeh Johnson, Period: No official records available)
Confirmation Status Regarding Personal Corruption or Criminal Wrongdoing (Timothy Geithner, Period: No official records available)
|
Affiliation and team events
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Element |
| Year | Cabinet and Administration |
|---|---|
| 1960 |
Republican Party in high school (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 1961 |
Republican Party in college (Robert Gates)
|
| 1966 |
Republican Party (Leon Panetta)
|
| 1968 |
Switch to the Democratic Party (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 1970 |
Participation in Democratic candidates' election campaigns (Hillary Clinton)
Democratic political activities in Arkansas (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 1971 |
Switch of party affiliation to the Democratic Party (Leon Panetta)
Republican Party (Chuck Hagel)
|
| 1977 |
Activities as a U.S. Representative from California (Leon Panetta)
|
| 1980 |
Affiliation and political activities with the Democratic Party (Kathleen Sebelius)
|
| 1981 |
Republican Party (Robert Gates)
|
| 1988 |
Democratic Party (Susan Rice)
|
| 1990 |
Democratic Party (Janet Napolitano)
|
| 1992 |
Support for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign (Hillary Clinton)
Affiliation and political activities with the Democratic Party (Sylvia Mathews Burwell)
|
| 1993 |
Participation in the Clinton administration (Leon Panetta)
|
| 1997 |
Founding and operation of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy (Leon Panetta)
|
| 2000 |
Candidacy and election to the U.S. Senate from New York (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 2004 |
Democratic Party (Jeh Johnson)
|
| 2005 |
Democratic Party (Samantha Power)
|
| 2007 |
2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 2008 |
Democratic Party (Eric Holder)
|
| 2009 |
Participation in the Democratic administration as Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton)
Administrative activities in a Democratic administration (Arne Duncan)
Democratic Party affiliation and activities in the Obama administration (Steven Chu)
CIA Director and Secretary of Defense in the Obama administration (Leon Panetta)
|
| 2010 |
Democratic Party (Ashton Carter)
|
| 2014 |
Democratic Party (Loretta Lynch)
|
| 2015 |
2016 Democratic presidential nomination (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 2017 |
Founding of Onward Together and support for Democratic organizations (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 2020 |
Endorsement of Joe Biden's presidential campaign (Hillary Clinton)
|
| 2024 |
Endorsement of Kamala Harris's presidential campaign (Hillary Clinton)
|
| Unknown |
Democratic Party (Ernest Moniz, Period: Details of the period of affiliation are unconfirmed, Location: United States)
Democratic Party (Gina McCarthy, Period: Details of the period of affiliation are unconfirmed, Location: United States)
Democratic Party (Lisa Jackson, Period: Details of the period of affiliation are unconfirmed, Location: United States)
Independent (Timothy Geithner, Period: Has not clarified a partisan affiliation through public political activities, Location: United States)
|
Map
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Element |
United States
World
Related Links
| Group | List |
|---|---|
| Obama Administration | The White House Cabinet and Administration |
| Governance | 2012 Presidential Election |
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