An Introduction to the Presidential Cabinet: Part 6
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The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and Remaining Executive Leadership
The secretary of Veterans Affairs
The secretary of Veterans Affairs oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and advises the president concerning the health and support of American veterans and their families. The secretary is 17th in the presidential line of succession and holds an important cabinet position tasked with healing the wounds of war by ensuring veterans’ sacrifices are honored through accessible care and resources.
Support for American veterans dates back to the Revolutionary War. In 1930, the Veterans Administration was established as an independent government agency. In 1944, the GI Bill provided grants to returning soldiers but excluded Black veterans from receiving benefits until the newer version of the bill in 1956. The 1980 U.S. Census was the first to ask women if they had ever served in the armed forces; 1.2 million women answered yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs was elevated to cabinet-level status in 1988. Efforts continue to honor all American veterans.
The secretary of Veterans Affairs is responsible for fulfilling the department’s mission “to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.” This guiding principle stems from President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, delivered amidst the horrors of the Civil War, where he pleaded with the nation “to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” These words, centering the need for national healing, are memorialized on plaques displayed at the entrance of the VA headquarters.
The secretary oversees three main branches within the department: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which is responsible for providing healthcare for about nine million veterans each year; the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which is responsible for assisting veterans with education and financial benefits; and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), which is responsible for providing burial services for veterans and maintaining more than 150 cemeteries.
As of 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs employs around 450,000 staff members.
The secretary of Homeland Security
The secretary of Homeland Security is responsible for protecting the nation from major non-military threats. Leading the newest and third-largest executive department, the secretary ranks 18th in the presidential line of succession and continues to navigate the department’s complex and evolving role as they advise the president on issues concerning homeland security.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established in response to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. President George W. Bush recognized the need for a more unified national security structure to better protect the nation. In 2002, Congress formally established DHS by consolidating 22 different federal departments and agencies into a single, integrated department. Due to this complex merger, jurisdiction over DHS remains distributed and, at times, unwieldy.
Today, DHS has a workforce of more than 260,000 employees dedicated to its mission: “With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.” The secretary oversees a broad range of responsibilities, including natural disaster response, daily screening of millions of aviation passengers, protection of the president and other national leaders, cybersecurity defense, and the security of critical infrastructure such as dams and power plants. The secretary also oversees the department’s enforcement of immigration laws, maintenance of border security, Coast Guard support, and the advancement of science and technology to strengthen national resilience.
The secretary of Homeland Security must constantly balance the dual imperatives of protection and civil liberty. From responding to hurricanes and wildfires to confronting cybersecurity threats or managing humanitarian crises at the border, the secretary should lead with integrity and wisdom in the face of often urgent and divisive challenges. The department's responsibilities, particularly in immigration enforcement and border security, have prompted important public debate about how to ensure both safety and human dignity. These discussions underscore the need for transparent, accountable leadership grounded in respect for the rule of law and the rights of all people.
Despite comprising only about 1.4% of the federal budget, DHS is subject to more congressional oversight than any other cabinet department. Today, more than 90 congressional committees and subcommittees have jurisdiction over some aspect of the Department of Homeland Security’s operations, further illustrating the secretary’s challenges concerning the department’s complexity. As the department continues to adapt to emerging threats — from global pandemics to cyberattacks — there is growing public interest in how ethical leadership can help build trust, strengthen communities, and uphold constitutional values in an evolving security landscape.
Leadership of Cabinet rank
The following position and agency directors hold the status of cabinet members within the executive branch and are appointed by the president. However, they are not considered official “cabinet members.” Together, the president, cabinet members, and the position and agency directors listed here manage all executive branch agencies.
Series conclusion
At the conclusion of this six-part series about the U.S. presidential Cabinet, consider the significance of the roles within. Though unmentioned in the Constitution, presidential cabinets began with the nation’s first president and have contributed to government and society in the U.S. since.
“The president’s Cabinet, the heads of the executive branch departments, is one of the most constant and durable parts of the United States government. From George Washington to Donald Trump, the chief executive has used the institution to collect information, get advice, and then carry out his policies.” — Karin Wulf, History Correspondent
This article was written by Natasha Rogers, researcher and writer for Mormon Women for Ethical Government, with Sherilyn Stevenson, lead researcher and writer for Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
