Washington set up the first U.S. Cabinet as a group of individuals he trusted to give him advice and interact with his Presidency.
The initial group included Attorney General Edmund Randolph, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
The Executive Branch of the government was created to carry out and enforce federal laws.
George Washington understood the value of a checks and balances system which would prevent any one branch of the government from having too much power.