List of U.S. executive branch czars


In the United States, the informal term "czar" is employed in media and popular usage to refer to high-level executive branch officials who oversee a particular policy field. there have never been any U.S. government offices with the formal title czar. The earliest known use of the term for a U.S. government official was in the administration of Franklin Roosevelt, during which eleven unique positions were so described.
The list of those identified as czars is based on subjective judgments, as individuals or offices may be referred to with the nickname by some publications or public figures, while not by others. A more limited definition of the term would encompass only those officials appointed without Senate confirmation.

By administration

The numbers are based upon the sortable list below, which includes further details and references.
Note that the holders of certain official positions have been referred to as "czars" for only part of the time those positions have existed. For example, there has been an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health since the passage of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, but the phrase "mine safety czar" has been applied to the position only since the appointment of Richard Stickler to the post in 2006. Similarly, there has been a director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs since the office was created by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, but the term "regulatory czar" was not applied to the post until 2001.

List of executive branch czars

The following are executive branch officials who have been described by the media as a czar of some kind.
Czar titleOfficial titleOffice holderTenureType of appointmentAppointing administrationSenate confirmed
AI and crypto czarWhite House AI and Crypto CzarDavid Sacks2025–presentPresident appointedDonald Trump
AfPak czar, Afghanistan and Pakistan czarSpecial Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan2009–2010President appointed
AIDS czarNational AIDS Policy Coordinator, Member of White House Domestic Policy Council1993–1994President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy1993–1997President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy, Presidential Envoy for AIDS Cooperation1997–2000President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy2001–2002President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy2002–2003President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy2004–2006President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy2009–2012President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy2012–2014President appointed
AIDS czarDirector of the Office of National AIDS Policy2014–2016President appointed
anti-poverty czar, poverty czarDirector of Office of Economic Opportunity1965–1969President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
Asian Carp czarAsian Carp Director, Council on Environmental Quality2010–UnknownCouncil on Environmental Quality selected
auto czar, car czarTreasury Advisor, Head of the Auto Task Force2009 Feb–JulSec. of Treasury appointed
auto czar, car czarSenior Advisor President's Automotive Task Force2009–2011President appointed
auto recovery czar, autoworker czarMember Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers2009–UnknownPresident appointed
bank bailout czar, Troubled Asset Relief Program czarUnited States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability, Senior Advisor to Secretary of the Treasury2008–2009, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
bank bailout czar, TARP czarUnited States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability2009–2013President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
bioethics czarAdvisor to the President, Chairman of The President's Council on Bioethics2001–2005, Exec order, President appointed
bird flu czarAssistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, Advisor to the President for Public Health Emergency Preparedness2004–2006, President appointed
birth control czarDeputy Assistant Secretary of Population Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services2006–2007President appointed
border czarU.S. attorney and Special Representative for the Southwest Border, Department of Justice1995–1998President nominated, Senate confirmed as U.S. Attorney, Appointed as Special Representative✓
border czarAssistant Secretary for International Affairs, Special Representative for Border Affairs, Dept of Homeland Security2009–2011Sec of Homeland Security appointed
border czarSpecial Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Southern Border2021 Jan–AprPresident appointed
border czarBorder Czar2019/2025–presentPresident appointed
budget czarDirector of the Office of Management and Budget2001–2003President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
budget czarDirector of the Office of Management and Budget2003–2006President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
budget czarDirector of the Office of Management and Budget2006–2007President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
car czarChief domestic policy advisor and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council1993–2001, Exec order, President appointed-
czar of censorshipDirector, Office of Censorship1941–1945Exec Order, President appointed-
cleanup czarSpecial Assistant Attorney General 1952, fired after 63 days by Attorney General for demanding records access; AG then forced to resign by President TrumanAttorney General appointed
cleanup czarAssistant Secretary for Environmental Management, Department of Energy 2001–2004President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
cleanup czarAssistant Secretary for Environmental Management, Department of Energy 2005–2008Sec. of Energy appointed, Senate confirmed✓
climate czarAssistant to the President and Staff Secretary, President's Coordinator for Climate Change, Senior negotiator at Kyoto and Beuenos Aires negotiations1997–1999President appointed
climate czarSpecial Envoy for Climate Change2009Sec. of State appointed
climate czar, energy czar, global warming czarAssistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change2009–2011
copyright czarIntellectual Property Enforcement Coordinatorvacant; position approved but not filled during Bush administration2008–2009
copyright czarIntellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator2009–2013
communications czarCounselor to the President, Special counselor to the President2005–2007President appointed
compensation czar, Gulf claims czar, pay czarSpecial Master for TARP Executive Compensation2009–2011, 2014–2016?Sec. of Treasury appointed
consumer czarSpecial Advisor for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau2010–2011, President appointed
COVID-19 czarCounselor to the President of the United States2021–2022President appointed
COVID-19 czarWhite House COVID-19 response coordinator2022–2023President appointed
cruise czarFact-Finding Officer for the Federal Maritime Commission2020–2023President nominated, Senate confirmedDonald Trump
cyber security czar, cyber czarSpecial Advisor to the President on Cybersecurity, Office of Management and Budget 2001 Oct – 2003 Feb, President appointed
cyber security czar, cyber czarDirector, National Cybersecurity Center2008–2009, Presidential directive, President appointed
cyber security czar, cyber czarDirector of the White House Office of Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Coordinator2009 May–Jul, Acting czarOffice created May 31, 2009.
cyber security czar, cyber czarDirector of the White House Office of Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Coordinator2017–2018Office created May 31, 2009.Donald Trump
cyber security czar, cyber czarDirector of the White House Office of Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Coordinator2018Office created May 31, 2009.Donald Trump
democracy czarDeputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy2005–2008President appointed
domestic czarSpecial Assistant to the President, domestic policy aide1965–1969President appointed
domestic policy czarChief Domestic Policy Coordinator, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President, White House Deputy Chief of Staff2004–2006President appointed
domestic violence czarAdvisor to the President and the Vice President on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Issues2009Vice President appointed
drug czarHead of Drug programs, Special Action Office of Drug Abuse Prevention1971President appointed
drug czarDirector of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and head of the Narcotics Treatment Administration1973–1978
drug czarDirector of the White House Drug Abuse Policy, Special Assistant to the President for Drug Abuse, Member of Executive Board of the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System Cabinet Level, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug Abuse Policy 1982–1988, Exec order, President appointed
drug czarDirector, Office of National Drug Control Policy1989–1990 created by Congress, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
drug czarDirector, Office of National Drug Control Policy1991–1993President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
drug czarDirector, National Drug Control Policy1993–1995President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
drug czarDirector, National Drug Control Policy1996–2001President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
drug czarDirector, National Drug Control Policy2001–2009President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
drug czarDirector, National Drug Control Policy 2009–2014President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
drug czarDirector, National Drug Control Policy2015–2017President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
Ebola czarEbola Response Coordinator2014–2015President appointed
e-commerce czar, e-czarExecutive Director, Electronic Commerce Working Group1998–2000Vice President appointed✓
economic czar, economic czar of World War IIDirector, Office of Economic Stabilization1942–1943, Exec order, President appointed
economic czarDirector, Office of Economic Stabilization1943–1945President appointed
economic czarDirector, Office of Economic Stabilization1945–1946President appointed
economic czar, big-picture economic czarChairman, Economic Recovery Advisory Board2009President appointed
energy czarDirector of the Energy Policy Office1973, Exec order, President appointed
energy czarFederal Energy Office Administrator1973–1974President appointed
energy czarAdministrator, Federal Energy Administration1974President appointed
energy czarAdministrator, Federal Energy Administration, Assistant to the President for Energy Affairs, Executive Director of Energy Resources Council1974–1977President appointed
energy czarDirector, Department of Energy 1977–1979, Legislation enacted, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
ethics czar, transparency czarSpecial Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform2009–2010, Exec order, President appointed
ethics czar, transparency czarWhite House Counsel2010–2011President appointed
faith-based czar, faith czarDirector, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives2001–2002, Exec order, President appointed
faith-based czar, faith czarDirector, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives2002–2006President appointed
faith-based czar, faith czarDirector, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives2006–2008President appointed
faith-based czarDirector of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships2009–2013President appointed
faith-based czarDirector of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships2013–2014?President appointed
food czarFood Administrator and Secretary of Agriculture1942–1943Exec order
food czarWar Food Administrator1943Exec order
food czarWar Food Administrator1943–1945Exec order
food czarChairman Citizens Food Committee1947 Sep–NovPresident appointed
food safety czarAssistant Commissioner for Food Protection2007–2008President appointed
foreign aid czarAdministrator of the US Agency for International Development 2006–2007President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
global AIDS czarCoordinator of U.S. Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally with the rank of Ambassador2003–2006, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
global AIDS czarCoordinator of U.S.Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally, with the rank of Ambassador2006–2009President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
Great Lakes czarSenior Advisor to the EPA Administrator2009–2017
green-jobs czarSpecial Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation at the White House, Member of the White House Council on Environmental Quality2009 Apr–SepPresident appointed
Guantanamo Base closure czarUS Department of State Special Envoy2009–2013Sec. of State appointed
health care czar, technology czar, internet czar, e-czarSenior Advisor for Policy Development1993–1998President appointed
health czarDirector of the White House Office of Health Reform and Counselor to the President2009–2011Exec Order
health czar for the World Trade Center Special coordinator to respond to health effects of September 11 attacks, World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, also served as Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health2006–2008President Appointed
health IT czarNational Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services 2004–2006, Exec order, appointed by Sec. of HHS
health IT czarNational Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services 2009–2011Exec order, appointed by Sec. of HHS
homeland security czarAssistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism2001–2002, Exec Order, President appointed
homeland security czarSecretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security2003–2004, Legislation enacted, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
homeland security czarSecretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security2005–2009President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
homeless czar, homelessness czarExecutive Director, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness2002–2008President appointed
housing czarHousing Expediter in the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion1945–1946, President appointed
human trafficking czarSpecial Advisor in the Office of Domestic Policy Council2020, President appointed
Gulf Coast reconstruction czar, Hurricane Katrina recovery czarFederal Coordinator of Hurricane Katrina Recovery Effort2005–2008President appointed
inflation czar, anti-inflation czarSpecial Trade Representative, Chief U.S. trade negotiator1978President appointed
inflation czarAdvisor to the President, Chairman Council on Wage and Price Stability1977–1980President appointed
czar of informationDirector, Office of War Information1942–1945Exec Order, President appointed
information czar, Infotech CzarChief Information Officer at the White House2009–2011, created by statute, President appointed-
information czar, Infotech CzarChief Information Officer at the White House2011–2014created by statute, President appointed-
intelligence czarDirector of National Intelligence2005–2007, Congress mandated, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
intelligence czarDirector of National Intelligence2007–2009President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
intelligence czarDirector of National Intelligence2009–2010President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
intelligence czarDirector of National Intelligence2010–2017President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
Iran czarSpecial Advisor for the Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia 2009–2011President appointed-
czar of Latin American affairsAssistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs1964–1965President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
manpower czarDirector, War Manpower Commission1942–1945Exec order-
manufacturing czarAssistant Secretary for manufacturing and services, U.S. Commerce Department2004–2007, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
manufacturing czarAssistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services2007–2008President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
manufacturing czarSenior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy2009–2011President appointed
Middle East czarSpecial Envoy for Middle East Peace2009–2011Sec. of State appointed
mine safety czarAssistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health2006–2008Recess appointment—2 prior presidential nominations were rejected by the Senate
missile czarAssistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development1954–1956Sec. of Defense appointed, Senate confirmed✓
mobilization czar, civilian economy czarDirector, Office of Defense Mobilization1950–1952, Exec order
oil czarPetroleum Coordinator for National Defense, Secretary of the Interior1941–1946President nominated, Senate confirmed as Sec. of Interior✓
pardon czarPardon Czar2025–presentPresident appointedDonald Trump✓
patronage czarPostmaster General Post Office Department, Cabinet-level position1945–1947President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
performance czarUnited States Chief Performance Officer and Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget2009–2013President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
policy czarAssistant to the President for Policy and Strategic Planning2005–2006President appointed
price czarAdministrator, Office of Price Administration1941–1942, Exec order, President appointed
price czarAdministrator, Office of Price Administration1942–1943President appointed
price czarAdministrator, Office of Price Administration1943–1946President appointed
price czarChairman of the Price Commission1971, President appointed
production czarDirector, War Production Board1942–1944, Exec order, President appointed
production czarDirector, War Production Board1944–1945President appointed
public diplomacy czarSpecial advisor to the President, Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs2005–2007President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
public diplomacy czarUndersecretary of State for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy2008–2009President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
reading czarPresident's Advisor on Reading First Initiative, Member of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education2001–2005President appointed
reconversion czarDirector of War Mobilization and Reconversion1945–1946President appointed
regulatory czarDirector of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Office of Management and Budget2001–2006President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
regulatory czarDirector of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Office of Management and Budget2006–2009Recess appointment, nominee did not receive a Senate vote
regulatory czarDirector of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Office of Management and Budget2009–2012President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
rubber czarRubber Director1942–1943, Exec order, appointed by Chairman of War Production Board
savings & loan czarDirector, Office of Thrift Supervision1990–1997President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
science czarScience Advisor to the President, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy2001 Oct – 2009 JanPresident nominated, Senate confirmed✓
science czarDirector of the Office of Science and Technology Policy2009–2017President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
shipping czarAdministrator, War Shipping Administration1942–1946Exec order
stimulus accountability, stimulus oversightChairman, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board2009, created by statute, President appointed
technology czar, chief technology czarAssociate Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Chief Technology Officer, Assistant to the President2009–2012President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
terrorism czar, counter-terrorism czarNational coordinator for security, infrastructure protection and counter-terrorism, member of National Security Council, cabinet-level position1998–2001President appointed
terrorism czarNational coordinator for security, infrastructure protection and counter-terrorism, cabinet level rank removed2001 Jan–Oct President Clinton appointed
terrorism czar, counterterrorism czarNational Director for Combating Terrorism, Deputy National Security Advisor2001 Nov – 2002 Jun, President appointed
terrorism czarAssistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism2009President appointed
trade czarSenior Policy Advisor in the White House on behalf of the United States Trade Representative.2012Appointed by USTR Michael Froman in 2012 She also represents the USTR on the President's Council on Women and Girls.
transportation czarDirector, Office of Defense Transportation1941–1944, Exec order, President appointed
transportation czarDirector, Office of Defense Transportation1944–1949President appointed
urban affairs czarDirector of the White House Office of Urban Affairs Policy2009–2010Exec Order, President appointed
war czarAssistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan2007–2009, President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
war czarAssistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan2009–2010? President Bush nominated, Senate confirmed✓
weapons czarUnder Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics 2009President nominated, Senate confirmed✓
weapons of mass destruction czar, nonproliferation czarSpecial Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction, Proliferation, and Terrorism2009–2013President appointed
weatherization czarProgram Manager, Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 2008–UnknownCareer incumbent, retained from George W. Bush administration
weatherization czarProgram Manager, Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 2008–UnknownCareer incumbent, retained from George W. Bush administration
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