Resolution Details
This question tracks the period from Inauguration Day (January 20, 2025) through December 31, 2025, 23:59 ET.
Qualifying Officials
Resolution is YES if any person who meets ALL of the following criteria leaves their position during the resolution period:
1. Was newly nominated and confirmed by the Senate under the administration that takes office in January 2025
2. Served as head of a qualifying executive department (defined below)
Note:
- Previously confirmed officials from prior administrations who continue serving do not count
- Recess appointees only count after receiving Senate confirmation
Qualifying Departments
Qualifying executive departments are:
1. Any department listed in 5 U.S.C. § 101 at the start of 2025
2. Any new executive department created and added to 5 U.S.C. § 101 during 2025
Current departments as of 2024:
- Department of State
- Department of the Treasury
- Department of Defense
- Department of Justice (Attorney General)
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Labor
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Energy
- Department of Education
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Homeland Security
Timing Definitions
Confirmation Timing:
- For standard appointees, eligibility begins upon Senate confirmation
- For recess appointees, eligibility begins upon their Senate confirmation, not their initial appointment date
- Only departures that occur after Senate confirmation count toward resolution
Departure Timing:
An official is considered to have departed when either:
1. Their last day in office has occurred, as officially announced by the White House or the relevant department, OR
2. An acting or permanent successor has been officially designated and has begun serving in the role
The date of departure is whichever of these events occurs first.
Qualifying Departures
"Leaving office" includes:
- Resignation (voluntary or requested)
- Termination/firing
- Death while in office
- Impeachment and removal
- Any other form of permanent departure from the role
Special Cases
Presidential Succession:
- If the president-elect dies before taking office, this question tracks departures of executive department heads appointed by whoever becomes president
- If presidential succession occurs during 2025, any departures of executive department heads count if they were newly appointed and confirmed by any 2025 president, regardless of party
New Departments:
- If Congress creates a new executive department and adds it to 5 U.S.C. § 101 during 2025, its head is included in this question
- The department must be formally established as an "executive department" in U.S. Code, not merely a cabinet-level position
Resignations Without Departure:
- If an official submits a resignation but continues serving in their position (such as a resignation that is declined or withdrawn), this does not count as leaving office
- Only actual departures from office count, not merely submitted resignations that don't result in the person leaving their position
Other Notes:
- Acting heads are not included unless they were formally nominated and confirmed
- If a head announces their departure in 2025 but the effective date is in 2026, this does not count
- Withdrawals of nominations before Senate confirmation do not count
The question resolves NO if no such departures occur during the specified timeframe.