US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the only remaining member of President Obama's original Cabinet, has decided to leave his position a week early. In a farewell message to USDA employees, Vilsack said "I want to take this opportunity on my final day at USDA to express my profound gratitude to the people who work at USDA." The resignation is effective at Midnight on Friday, January 13, at which time deputy secretary Michael Scuse will become acting secretary until President-Elect Trump picks a replacement.