--- title: Sean Spicer: Other White House Resignations description: Sean Spicer is not the first member of the Trump Administration to leave after disagreeing with the president. canonical: https://time.com/4806749/sean-spicer-resigns-white-house-resignations/ author: Ryan Kilpatrick article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-07-21T16:41:18.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:24:30.499Z article:section: Politics og:title: 8 People Who Resigned Over Disagreements With President Trump og:description: White House spokesman Sean Spicer was the latest. og:url: https://time.com/4806749/sean-spicer-resigns-white-house-resignations/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63020a8c13be35bb/6988d0c4ab6d7771ce6ae763/gettyimages-667783388.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Donald Trump And NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Hold Joint News Conf. og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 8 People Who Resigned Over Disagreements With President Trump twitter:description: White House spokesman Sean Spicer was the latest. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63020a8c13be35bb/6988d0c4ab6d7771ce6ae763/gettyimages-667783388.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 8 People Who Resigned Over Disagreements With President Trump > Sponsored content. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=91366abe-4435-4c06-b3bd-91efb46c7cb7&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Sean Spicer's Greatest Hits [Watch (HLS stream): Sean Spicer's Greatest Hits](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Fvh1mgxB.m3u8) (4:59)  _Published 2017-05-30. The Sean Spicer show is back after a brief hiatus. The White House press secretary is set to resume his daily press briefing Tuesday afternoon, after taking a break during President Trump's first trip abroad._ by [Ryan Kilpatrick](https://time.com/author/ryan-kilpatrick/) ## Ryan Kilpatrick Jul 21, 2017 4:41 PM UTC by [Ryan Kilpatrick](https://time.com/author/ryan-kilpatrick/) ## Ryan Kilpatrick Jul 21, 2017 4:41 PM UTC Sean Spicer is not the first member of the Trump Administration to leave after disagreeing with the president. The White House press secretary [resigned](http://time.com/4868546/sean-spicer-resigns-anthony-scaramucci-donald-trump/?xid=homepage) Friday, just one day past the administration’s six-month mark, after Trump [hired](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/politics/trump-scaramucci-communications-director.html) former New York hedge fund executive Anthony Scaramucci to be his new communications director. Here’s a look at eight people who resigned from the Trump Administration over disagreements. ## Sean Spicer The White House press secretary resigned Friday after a tumultuous six-month run. Spicer’s daily televised press briefings made him a household name and the subject of a high-profile _Saturday Night Live_ parody by Melissa McCarthy. ## Patrick Kennedy The State Department’s undersecretary for management was one of the first departures in what become an exodus of State Department staff who resigned ahead of Trump’s inauguration. In late January, the “entire senior level of management officials resigned,” [reported](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/01/26/the-state-departments-entire-senior-management-team-just-resigned/?utm%5Fterm=.0003cfc87e73) the Washington _Post_. Assistant Secretary of State for Administration Joyce Anne Barr, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Michele Bond and Ambassador Gentry O. Smith, director of the Office of Foreign Missions, also left with Kennedy. ## Rumana Ahmed The only hijab-wearing Muslim in the West Wing lasted just eight days under President Trump. Rumana Ahmed joined the National Security Council under Barack Obama but decided to stay on under Trump despite deep misgivings about the incoming Administration. In an [op-ed](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/rumana-ahmed-trump/517521/) published by _The Atlantic_, Ahmed said she noticed the different atmosphere from day one, when “the new staff looked at me with a cold surprise” and “the diverse White House I had worked in became a monochromatic and male bastion.” After seven more “appalling” days, Ahmed decided drew a line over Trump’s attempt to introduce a travel ban targeting citizens of several Muslim-majority countries. “When Trump issued a ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries and all Syrian refugees,” Ahmed [wrote](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/rumana-ahmed-trump/517521/), “I knew I could no longer stay and work for an administration that saw me and people like me not as fellow citizens, but as a threat.” ## Edward Price Experienced CIA analyst Edward Price had his disagreements with presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — but said that he didn’t think that party politics would ever compel him to leave his job. “We’re taught to tune out politics,” Price [wrote](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/i-didnt-think-id-ever-leave-the-cia-but-because-of-trump-i-quit/2017/02/20/fd7aac3e-f456-11e6-b9c9-e83fce42fb61%5Fstory.html?utm%5Fterm=.8527dbc9b879) in the Washington _Post_, “but this administration has flipped that dynamic on its head: The politicians are the ones tuning out the intelligence professionals.” Price said he was mystified by the way Trump had “cast doubt” during his campaign on the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia was behind the hacking and release of emails related to the election. Trump’s actions since taking office, Price wrote, “have been even more disturbing.” Price said he believes that the CIA will weather the storm, but in the meantime intelligence professionals will have to work from behind “a political moat” isolating the White House from unwelcome voices. ## James Runcie Runcie was head of the Education Department’s student financial aid office until May, when he [stepped down](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/24/james-runcie-education-department-resigns-238762) over a dispute with Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Runcie was ordered by DeVos to testify before the House Oversight Committee on rising improper payment rates for federal student aid programs — for which he said he had “not heard a single compelling reason” for. Runcie wrote in a [memo](http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3731716-Runcie-Resignation.html) that he felt “encumbered from exercising my authorities to properly lead” and was “incredibly concerned” about management issues. He concluded that the department’s “alignment on governance and mission between operational leaders and political ones \[…\] no longer exists.” ## Elon Musk Musk courted considerable controversy when he agreed to join Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum as an advisor and then participated in the President’s Manufacturing Jobs Initiative. As a strident advocate for the environment and renewable energy, the CEO of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer was accused of hypocrisy. Musk [argued](http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ted-talks-trump-advisory-council-2017-4) that despite their disagreements, engaging with Trump was more positive than shutting him out, and that he could affect change from the inside. The President’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change, however, was a step too far for Musk, who said on Twitter shortly after Trump’s announcement that he was quitting the advisory council. > [](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/870369915894546432) ## Bob Iger Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement was a red line for another member of the council, as well: Disney CEO Bob Iger. Shortly after Musk’s announcement, Iger said on Twitter that he, too, would quit the panel. > [](https://twitter.com/RobertIger/status/870413002893254656) In a more detailed statement later issued by Disney, Iger [wrote](http://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/): “Protecting our planet and driving economic growth are critical to our future, and they aren’t mutually exclusive. I deeply disagree with the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and, as a matter of principle, I’ve resigned from the President’s advisory council.” A longtime Democrat and supporter of Trump’s campaign rival Hillary Clinton, Iger also faced criticism for taking a role on the council. Like Musk, Iger had previously [argued ](http://fortune.com/2017/03/08/disney-iger-shareholders-meeting-trump/)that “there is an opportunity” to being “in the room where it happens, to express opinions.” ## David H. Rank The post of U.S. ambassador to China, like many in the diplomatic corps, has been left vacant since Trump’s inauguration. The job of acting ambassador fell to the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, David H. Rank, who [stepped down](http://fortune.com/2017/06/06/the-top-u-s-diplomat-in-china-just-quit-over-trumps-climate-policy/?iid=sr-link2) from his position ahead of a transition to Trump’s pick for ambassador, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Although Rank didn’t publicly state a reason for his early departure, China expert John Pomfret cited anonymous sources who said that Rank told embassy staff he could not deliver a diplomatic note informing the Chinese government of the U.S. decision to pull out of the Paris agreement. According to Reuters, Pomfret’s account was confirmed by a U.S. official who preferred not to be named. A spokesperson for the State Department’s East Asia Bureau, Anna Richey-Allen, told Reuters that Rank had made “a personal decision” to retire after nearly three decades with the foreign service. ## Transcript Photographs of the inaugural proceedings were intentionally framed in a way to minimise the enormous support that had gathered on the National mall. This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration period. Good afternoon everyone. Welcome back. I can sense the love in the room. Yes, I believe that we have to be honest with the American people. I think sometimes we can disagree with the facts. I mean just the other day, he sat down with Martin Luther King Jr. I would call him a civil rights leader. His dad was the civil rights leader. Sean, Sean I have a couple more questions- You get one more. That's a ridic, you're basically, okay Kristen we're going to end this right now. Hunter, Hunter, no. And then, this one is the, I've got the '13 here as well or the 2017. It is literally 100 % the same. Well, first of all, it's not a travel ban. He's using the words that the media is using, but at the end of the day, it can't, hold on, hold on, hold on. It can't be. It's his words. The President himself Called it a ban. I understand. Is he confused or are you confused? No, I'm not confused. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. Okay, this is silly. Okay, next. Attack on- Okay, you don't get to just yell out questions. We're gonna raise our hand like big boys and girls. This is government, this is not, and I think that part of the reason the visual is important is that when you actually look at the difference You realize this is what big government does . >> Just gonna say here your pin �� s upside down. John Roberts is always helping me with the fashion tips. Its still upside down. Dont make me make that podium move. [ LAUGHTER ] I have heard this stuff. No, no, hold on- no evidence of wiretapping at Trump Tower so now you �� ve had the House Intelligence Commitee and the the Senate Intelligence Commitee - >> no, no actually here is this quote Johnathan. No, here is the direct quote I thin it's very possible end quote. When we talked about wiretapping, he meant surveillance. [ CROSSTALK ] For a guy who has zero intelligence class. [ LAUGH ] [ CROSSTALK ] Does the President still have complete confidence in FBI Director Comey? There's no reason to believe he doesn't at this time. But even General Flynn was a volunteer of the campaign, and then obviously there's been discussion of Paul Manafort who played a very limited role. Was the White House aware of any contacts between Paul Manafort and Russian operatives or suspected Russian operatives? No [ INAUDIBLE ] Well first I think your headlines are bad. I'm glad to rewrite, I'd be glad to if you'd like, if you guys are looking for some help. Are you looking for a job? Does the President stand by statement that President Obama is a bad or sick guy? I think the president's tweets stand for themselves. I think there's a huge appetite for tax return, tax reform. No, no we don't have that. You've got Russia. If the president puts Russian salad dressing on his salad tonight, somehow that's a Russian connection. I'm sorry that that disgusts you. You're shaking your head. I appreciate it but understand this, that at some point, the facts are what they are, and every single person who has been briefed on this situation With respect to the situation with Russia, Republican, Democrat, Obama- appointee, career have all come to the same conclusion. At some point, April, you're going to have to take no for an answer, with respect to whether or not there was collusion. April. I wanna thank you, Sean. How are you today? I'm fine. And how are you? Fantastic. [ LAUGH ] [ LAUGH ] the answer is that if you gas a baby, if you put a barrel bomb into innocent people. I think you will see a response from this president. That is unacceptable. Someone as despicable as Hitler, who didn't even sink to using chemical weapons. I think I got this but thank you. Are you sure? Maybe. Alright, thanks man, I'll see you in a minute. [ LAUGH ] Hold on. Alright, that was cool. [ LAUGH ] Alright, that was cool. [ LAUGH ] Sean! Sean! Sean! Sean! Sean! Come on, Sean! Sean! What about the Putin call? Sean! Sit right here, wait, no one leaves. No one leaves, sit. Let's see, sit and wait. Let's see. [ CROSSTALK ] considering canceling the daily press briefings? I think he's a little dismayed, as well as a lot of people, that we come out here and try to do everything we can to provide you and the American people with what he's doing on their behalf. and yet, we see time and time again an attempt to parse every little word and make it more of a game of " gotcha" as opposed to really Figure out what the policies are? Why something is being pursued or what the update is on this and I think that's where there's a lot of dismay and I don't thin is something just alone the president feels. Thank you guys have a great weekend see you every monday thank you, goodbye ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4806749/sean-spicer-resigns-white-house-resignations/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4806749/sean-spicer-resigns-white-house-resignations/"},"headline":"8 People Who Resigned Over Disagreements With President Trump","datePublished":"2017-07-21T16:41:18.000Z","dateModified":"2026-10-08T09:24:30.499Z","description":"Sean Spicer is not the first member of the Trump Administration to leave after disagreeing with the president.","url":"https://time.com/4806749/sean-spicer-resigns-white-house-resignations/","keywords":["White House","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63020a8c13be35bb/6988d0c4ab6d7771ce6ae763/gettyimages-667783388.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Ryan Kilpatrick","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/ryan-kilpatrick/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63020a8c13be35bb/6988d0c4ab6d7771ce6ae763/gettyimages-667783388.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Donald Trump And NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Hold Joint News Conf.","caption":"Donald Trump And NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Hold Joint News Conf.","creditText":"Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/white-house/","name":"White House"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4806749/sean-spicer-resigns-white-house-resignations/","name":"8 People Who Resigned Over Disagreements With President Trump"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Sean Spicer's Greatest Hits","description":"The Sean Spicer show is back after a brief hiatus. 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