This is a list of United States Cabinet members who have served for a duration greater than the length of two full presidential terms (this means a minimum of 2,923 days).
More than eight years in a single cabinet office SecretaryDepartmentYears of serviceLength of servicePresidenciesnotes Agriculture1897–1913McKinley, T. Roosevelt, Taft Interior1933–1946F. Roosevelt, Truman Treasury1801–1814Jefferson, Madison Labor1933–1945F. Roosevelt, Truman Agriculture2009–20172021–2025First tenure: Second tenure: Total tenure: Obama, Biden State1933–1944F. Roosevelt Treasury1934–1945F. Roosevelt, Truman Justice1817–1829Monroe, J.Q. Adams Treasury1921–1932Harding, Coolidge, Hoover Labor1921–1930Harding, Coolidge, Hoover Treasury1816–1825Madison, Monroe, J.Q. Adams
More than eight years over multiple cabinet offices SecretaryOfficeBegan serviceEnded serviceLength of servicePresidencies Secretary of Labor January 29, 2001 January 20, 2009 11 years, 341 days George W. BushSecretary of TransportationJanuary 31, 2017January 11, 2021Donald TrumpHenry L. StimsonSecretary of WarMay 22, 1911March 4, 191310 years, 342 daysWilliam Howard TaftJuly 10, 1940September 21, 1945 Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. TrumanSecretary of StateMarch 28, 1929March 4, 1933Herbert HooverGeorge ShultzSecretary of LaborJanuary 22, 1969July 1, 19709 years, 318 daysRichard NixonSecretary of the TreasuryJune 12, 1972May 8, 1974Secretary of StateJuly 16, 1982January 20, 1989Ronald ReaganLevi WoodburySecretary of the NavyMay 23, 1831June 30, 18349 years, 289 daysAndrew JacksonSecretary of the TreasuryJuly 1, 1834March 4, 1841Andrew Jackson and Martin Van BurenRobert SmithSecretary of the NavyJuly 27, 1801March 4, 18099 years, 249 daysThomas JeffersonSecretary of StateMarch 6, 1809April 1, 1811James Madison Secretary of War August 1, 1815 October 22, 1816 9 years, 220 days James MadisonSecretary of the TreasuryOctober 22, 1816March 6, 1825James Madison, James Monroe, and John Quincy AdamsCaspar WeinbergerSecretary of Health & Human ServicesFebruary 12, 1973August 8, 19759 years, 121 daysRichard Nixon and Gerald FordSecretary of DefenseJanuary 21, 1981November 23, 1987Ronald ReaganHenry A. WallaceSecretary of AgricultureMarch 4, 1933September 4, 19409 years, 25 daysFranklin D. RooseveltSecretary of CommerceMarch 2, 1945September 20, 1946Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman Secretary of War August 1, 1831 October 4, 1836 8 years, 352 days Andrew JacksonSecretary of StateMarch 6, 1857December 14, 1860James Buchanan Secretary of War December 8, 1817 March 4, 1825 8 years, 66 days James MonroeSecretary of StateApril 1, 1844March 10, 1845John Tyler andJames K. Polk Secretary of WarAugust 1, 1899January 31, 19048 years, 13 daysWilliam McKinley and Theodore RooseveltSecretary of StateJuly 19, 1905January 27, 1909Theodore Roosevelt
Near misses and technicalities Several individuals have come close to the distinction of serving more than 8 years, or greater than 2922 days; only having have missed it by months, weeks, days, or technicality. Listed below are the names of individuals who came within a year of the achievement.
Orville Freeman missed this distinction by 2 days, having served under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson as Secretary of Agriculture (1961–1969). Freeman served for 2921 days over these 2 administrations, just under the minimum of 2923 days. William L. Marcy missed also this distinction by 2 days, having served under President James K. Polk as Secretary of War (1845–1849), and under Presidents Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan as their Secretary of State (1853–1857). Marcy served for 2921 days over these 3 administrations, just under the minimum of 2923 days. David F. Houston missed this distinction by 3 days, having served under President Woodrow Wilson as Secretary of Agriculture (1913–1920) and then as Secretary of the Treasury (1920–1921). Houston served for 2920 days, which is exactly 8 regular years (not accounting for leap days), leaving him just short of 2923 day minimum. William P. Rogers served for 2872 days in a cabinet office, 51 days short. Rogers served first under President Dwight Eisenhower as Attorney General (1957–1961) and then later under Richard Nixon as Secretary of State. Richard Rush served for 2832 days in a cabinet office, 91 days short. Rush first served under James Madison and then James Monroe as their Attorney General (1814–1817). Rush also simultaneously served as acting Secretary of State for 197 days under Monroe. Rush later returned to the cabinet under John Quincy Adams as his Secretary of the Treasury (1825–1829). If his simultaneous tenure as acting Secretary of State was counted in addition, Rush would technically be included in the above list.
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