Who Were George Washington’s Cabinet Members?

George Washington’s cabinet members were Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton and Edmund Randolph. They were collectively known as “the cabinet” based on a quote by James Madison, who called their meetings “the president’s cabinet.”

George Washington’s cabinet consisted of the following members:

  • Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State
  • Henry Knox: Secretary of War
  • Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of the Treasury
  • Edmund Randolph: Attorney General

George Washington included cabinet members from different regions in the U.S. to establish balance and gain credibility for the government. His first cabinet nomination was for Alexander Hamilton, which was sent to the senate on September 11, 1789. It was unanimously approved the same day.