When then-President Barack Obama was preparing to depart office in 2016, he issued an edict: Members of his Cabinet would not be allowed to address that year’s Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. However, no such ban exists this year as the roster of speakers on Monday includes Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, considered a rising star in the party. It was also reported that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is expected to address the convention later in the week.
In the history of conventions, it is not uncommon for Cabinet members to have prime speaking spots. This practice aims to boost their profiles and showcase the party's depth to voters. Despite this, federal law mandates that administration appointees must separate their official and political duties.
When Cabinet members speak at conventions, they do so in their personal capacity, although the distinction may not always be clear to the viewing audience. The ban on Cabinet members speaking at the 2016 convention was rooted in Obama's desire to emphasize that his final months in office would prioritize governance over politics.
Denis McDonough, Obama's chief of staff at the time, aimed to signal the administration's responsibility to manage the government and serve the American people. The White House statement highlighted the importance of delineating official governing responsibilities from political activities.
