03/08/2019
In the airport today I was thanked by a number of people for my service to the country and they expressed regret that I was leaving the Trump administration. That made me realize that I needed to make it clear that I AM NOT LEAVING. In an interview earlier this week with Newsmax, when questioned about my intentions after this four year term is over, I indicated that my preference would be to return to the private sector. Such a return might be accompanied by more influence on the national scene. This is important because we are on the cusp of deciding if we love America as provided by our Constitution or do we want to adopt another system with a vastly expanded and empowered federal government.
Like President Trump, I joined the federal government in an attempt to preserve the freedom and quality-of-life in America that we have experienced, for those who follow us.
At HUD we have made tremendous progress in providing a path to self-sufficiency for the millions of people we serve and we have made major progress toward unprecedented business-like financial control. Although many in the press only concentrate on negative stories, there are numerous very positive stories.
Just to set the record straight, I am committed to completing my full term as HUD secretary and will continue to serve this President enthusiastically. Like all secretaries, as required by statute, I will resign after the four-year term. Hopefully we will have turned this “aircraft carrier“ around by then. If not and President Trump desires that I continue, I will feel a duty to do so and would consider serving another term. By the way the average tenure of a HUD secretary is 2 1/2 to 3 years.
We appreciate the tremendous support we receive from you, the American people. It is you that we serve.