List of Sub-Cabinet Vacancies

Toby halts Ginger in the bustling West Wing hallway and demands her list of sub-cabinet vacancies—positions exempt from Senate confirmation. She nods and promises to fetch it quickly as Josh and others hover nearby, the paper becomes Toby's immediate tactical pivot after Leo kills the National Parks directorship for Karen Kroft due to retroactive legislation.

2 appearances

Purpose

Catalogs open sub-cabinet positions safe from Senate confirmation to enable quick White House appointments amid political roadblocks.

Significance

Shifts Toby's strategy from a blocked promise to viable alternatives, exposing how legislation undercuts executive plans and forces rapid adaptation in staffing crises.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E9 · Swiss Diplomacy

Policing the Word, Closing the Door

The list of sub-cabinet vacancies is invoked as an immediate tactical resource — Toby requests it as a workaround to place Karen in a non-confirmable role; Ginger's quip indicates inventory knowledge and sets up the next administrative step.

Before: Exists as a known administrative inventory but is not in Toby's hands; unconsulted in this conversation.

After: Requested by Toby; Ginger acknowledges she knows of at least one slot and will likely retrieve the list for him.

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S4E9 · Swiss Diplomacy

Kroft Nomination Dies; Toby Scrambles for Safe Slots

The list of sub-cabinet vacancies is invoked as the tactical instrument Toby requests to avert the broken promise. It represents the immediate, practical workaround: find posts that avoid Senate scrutiny to placate Karen without forcing a confirmation fight.

Before: Existing as an internal administrative resource but not yet requested; in the possession or knowledge of communications/appointments staff.

After: Requested and being mobilized — Ginger indicates at least one slot (hers) is non-confirmable and will likely compile a fuller list for Toby.

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