[Theodore R.]

worst civil servant

I don't think he was a "civil servant," or he would probably still be on the job if he were. Civil servants have civil service protection from dismissal, but Cabinet members can be discharged at will by the President, since the 1887 repeal of the Tenure of Office Act.

[laconic]

Call him a "political appointee" then. He certainly was the worst political appointee, if not civil servant.