They may be running the country, but how much time did they spend in the classroom before stepping into the spotlight? Donald Trump’s cabinet is a mix of seasoned politicians, legal eagles, and business tycoons, each with a story that begins far from the corridors of power. From Pamela Bondi, who swapped the Florida sunshine for law school, to Marco Rubio, who sharpened his political skills with a degree in political science, these figures prove that academic paths can be as varied as the policies they champion. But who flaunts Ivy League credentials, and who took the road less traveled? We delve into the degrees, diplomas, and classrooms that shaped the people calling the shots in Washington. Spoiler alert: Some have racked up more letters after their names than most of us have in our email inboxes!
Scott Bessent: Secretary of the Treasury
Born on: August 1962, Conway, South Carolina
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science
University: Yale University, 1984
Pamela Bondi: Attorney General
Born On: November 17, 1965, Temple Terrace, Florida
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Criminal Justice and Juris Doctor (JD)
University: BA from University of Florida in 1987, JD from Stetson University College of Law in 1990
Douglas Burgum: Secretary of the Interior
Born On: August 1, 1956, Arthur, North Dakota
Education: BA and MBA
University: BA from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in 1978 and MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business
Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Secretary of Labour
Born On: April 7, 1968 Santa Clara, California
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA)
University: California State University, Fresno
Douglas Collins: Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Born On: August 16, 1966 Gainesville, Georgia, Collins
Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science and criminal law, Master of Divinity (M.Dev), Juris Doctor
University: BA from North Georgia College & State University in 1988, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1996, JD from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2007
Sean Duffy: Secretary of Transportation
Born On: October 3, 1971 Hayward, Wisconsin
Education: BA, JD
University: BA from St. Mary’s University, JD from William Mitchell College of Law
Peter Hegseth: Secretary of Defense
Born On: June 6, 1980, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Education: Bachelor of Arts in politics, Master of Public Policy
University: BA from Princeton University in 2003, MA from Harvard University in 2013
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Secretary of Health and Human Services
Born On: January 17, 1954, Washington
Education: Bachelor of Arts in American history and literature, Juris Doctor, Master of Law (LLM)
University: BA from Harvard University in 1976, JD from University of Virginia School of Law in 1982, LLM from Pace University in 1987
Howard Lutnick: Secretary of Commerce
Born On: July 14, 1961 in Jericho, New York
Education: BA
University: Haverford College
Linda McMahon: Secretary of Education
Born On: October 4, 1948 in New Bern, North Carolina
Education: BA
University: East Carolina University
Kristi Noem: Secretary of Homeland Security
Born On: November 30, 1971
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science
University: South Dakota State University in 2012
Brooke Rollins: Secretary of Agriculture
Born On: April 10, 1972, Glen Rose, Texas
Education: B.S. in agricultural development, Juris Doctor
University: B.S from Texas A&M University, JD from University of Texas School of Law
Marco Rubio: Secretary of State
Born On: May 28, 1971 in Miami, Florida
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Juris Doctor
University: University of Florida in 1993, JD from University of Miami School of Law in 1996
