What is the Cabinet of the United States?
Q: What is the Cabinet of the United States?
A: The Cabinet of the United States is composed of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government.
Q: When did it first come into existence?
A: The Cabinet dates back to when George Washington was President and he appointed a Cabinet of four people.
Q: Who are these four people that were appointed by George Washington?
A: They were Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.
Q: How are cabinet officers nominated?
A: They are nominated by the President and then presented to the United States Senate for confirmation or rejection by a simple majority.
Q: What title do they receive after being confirmed?
A: Aside from Attorney General, and previously, Postmaster General, they all receive the title Secretary.
Q: What happens after cabinet officers are approved?
A: After being approved, they are sworn in and begin their duties.
Q: Is there any other way for cabinet officers to be appointed aside from being nominated by the President? A: No, cabinet officers must be nominated by the President before they can be presented to Congress for confirmation or rejection.
