They are responsible to the president and, except for the vice-president, subject to removal at the president's will. The cabinet has been an accepted institution in the United States since the 1790s, although it is not mentioned in the Constitution or referred to in any statute before 1907. Presidents have used their cabinets for various purposes, but rarely as a collective body of policy advisors. One reason is that cabinet members, as heads of departments, are concerned with protecting the interests of their own operations, and these may conflict with the interests of other departments. Secretaries then become advocates for points of view, which inhibits their role as disinterested counselors.
Presidents also consider criteria other than personal preference in selecting cabinet members.
The cabinet has, therefore, been most useful as a vehicle for presidential persuasion and as a morale booster within the administration. All rights reserved.