Turnover Rate in Presidential A Teams

Turnover in presidential advisor teams is inevitable, and reshuffling is often needed to assemble a functioning executive. However, in President Trump's team there has been more movement than was the case during previous president's first years. Kathryn Dunn Tenpas has tracked these changes in what she calls the presidential 'A Teams', which on average consist of 60 people in decisive positions.

"While some turnover is expected and possibly beneficial, excessive turnover portends problems", the author concludes. And Trump has easily set a record in his first year in office, doubling the share of staff that were fired, who resigned, or were promoted to other positions from the previous leader of the ranking, Ronald Reagan. One reason for this is that Trump focuses on loyalty rather than competence of individual staff, Tenpas argues.

Trump's count is ongoing and can be checked for updates at Brookings. The below chart does not include cabinet secretaries, such as former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who resigned under pressure after learning he had been replaced on Twitter.