Former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz floated as possible successor to Kristi Noem at DHS
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Jason Chaffetz could be back in the mix. The former Utah congressman is reportedly under consideration to replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Real Clear Politics reported Thursday that Chaffetz, former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are on shortlists if there is a shake-up in Donald Trump’s cabinet. Politico also floated Chaffetz’s name in December
⏰ Tick Tock
16 days - Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026)
35 days - The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026)
38 days - First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026)
46 days - Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026)
71 days - Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026)
85 days - Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026)
144 days - Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026)
277 days - 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026)
1,012 days - 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028)
Noem has faced mounting criticism after two people were killed by federal agents in Minnesota, intensifying speculation about her future at DHS. President Trump said this week that he would not ask Noem to resign. Utah Sen. John Curtis and Rep. Blake Moore broke ranks with the White House this week, calling for an independent investigation into the shootings.
Chaffetz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch.
Chaffetz is widely seen as gearing up for a 2028 run for Utah Governor. As first reported by Utah Political Watch, he moved the full $113,000 balance from his dormant federal American Victory PAC into a new state-level PAC, Utah Victory, last year. The state PAC raised another $210,000 in 2025, mostly from large donors, per disclosures filed with the Utah Lt. Governor’s office.
Chaffetz abruptly resigned from Congress in 2017, just months into his sixth term. The day after his official resignation, he debuted as a Fox News contributor—where he’s become a fixture as a guest and fill-in host for several programs. He has authored five books, several of them New York Times bestsellers, and hosts the Jason in the House podcast.
Should Chaffetz abandon his gubernatorial, he would join a handful of prominent Utahns who have served in presidential cabinets:
- Ezra Taft Benson served as the Secretary of Agriculture from 1953 to 1961 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower before becoming President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Former Gov. Mike Leavitt led the EPA from 2003 to 2005 under George W. Bush before serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services in Bush’s second term.
- George W. Romney, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Nixon; though he was best known as Michigan’s governor.
- Terrel Bell, Education Secretary in Ronald Reagan’s first term.
- David M. Kennedy, Treasury Secretary under Nixon from 1969 to 1971, later served as Ambassador-at-Large on international economic issues and then later served as Ambassador to NATO.
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