Which president is credited with the idea of establishing a cabinet?

The president credited with the idea of establishing a cabinet is George Washington. As the first president of the United States, Washington recognized the need for a group of advisors to help him make informed decisions about the wide array of challenges facing the new nation. He created the cabinet to provide him with expert advice and to help coordinate the administration of the executive branch.

Washington's cabinet included key figures like Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury, among others. This established a precedent for future presidents, who have continued the tradition of convening a cabinet to provide counsel and manage specific areas of government. The cabinet thus became a crucial part of the executive branch, enshrining the practice of collaborative governance among trusted advisors. This element of Washington’s presidency set the stage for the organizational structure of the executive branch that remains in place today.