Graphic Truth: High Turnover in the White House

Whether Energy Secretary Rick Perry resigns or – it now seems – not, the Trump White House has already seen the highest turnover of any recent administration. To date, six people have served as White House communications director and there have been three chiefs of staff. Since President Trump took office less than three years ago, the rate of replacement for principal positions – designated the "A-Team" by the Brookings Institution – is 78 percent, higher than the five most recent presidents over their respective four-year terms. Based on the methodology outlined by the National Journal's "Decision Makers" series between 1981-2009 – and continued by Brookings – the first chart reflects turnover among the most influential positions within the Executive Office of the President. It doesn't include cabinet secretaries, which are reflected in the second chart. Here's a look at the numbers from the days of Reagan until today.