Trump Says He’ll Make “A Few” Cabinet Changes After Midterm Losses: “I Don’t Wanna Mention Who”

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President Donald Trump says more changes to his Cabinet are coming after Republicans lost control of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections. “I love my Cabinet. I think they’re good. But I’ll … be doing maybe a few changes. I don’t wanna mention who,” Trump said in an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, according to a preview of the conversation with Ross Douthat that is set to air Sunday at 7 p.m.

When Douthat pressed him on whether he expects to fire anyone after the midterm defeat, Trump answered simply, “I do.” The comments come just days after Trump announced that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles is leaving and that longtime adviser Stephen Miller will replace her, and as Democrats and some Republicans call for the impeachment of top administration officials.

Details & Background

The shake-up has already begun. On Friday, Trump named Miller his new chief of staff, with Wiles moving to his political operation. A day earlier, Harmeet Dhillon resigned as assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Other senior Justice Department officials have also departed in recent days, including the head of the department’s National Security Division and the U.S. attorney in Miami. Trump is also filling the White House press secretary job, saying on Truth Social that he offered the position to UFC CEO Dana White. White said he plans to meet with the president on Monday, joking, “I got a lot of jobs already.”

Dhillon pushed back on the idea that she was forced out. She told Fox News she “wasn’t asked to resign” and that she “resigned three weeks ago, and Susie asked me to please wait until after the midterms.” Meanwhile, two House Democrats, Reps. Hank Johnson of Georgia and Deborah Ross of North Carolina, said Thursday they support impeachment efforts against Attorney General Todd Blanche and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to The Hill.

Reactions

Trump made clear that Hegseth retains his support. Asked by Douthat whether he still has confidence in the Defense secretary, Trump again replied, “I do.” He pointed to the administration’s military record, saying, “Look, we’ve won two wars. We’ve won Venezuela and taken out billions and billions and billions of dollars already … We won that war in less than one hour.” Asked whether he credited Hegseth for those wins, Trump said, “No. But he was a part of it.”

Hegseth has also fought back against his critics. Responding to Rep. Thomas Massie’s push to impeach him, Hegseth said in a video posted to X, “A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly.” Massie has said his resolution is “a much gentler version of what’s coming when Dem’s control Congress.”

Why This Matters to You

Cabinet secretaries run the agencies that enforce immigration law, defend the country, prosecute crimes and manage the economy. Any change at the top of those departments will shape how the administration carries out its agenda during the final two years of Trump’s term. It also matters for timing: once the new Democratic Senate is seated in January, every replacement nominee will need the approval of a chamber controlled by the president’s opponents.

That gives the president a narrow window. Changes made during the lame-duck session could still be confirmed by a Republican Senate, while changes made later could face long delays or outright rejection. Sunday’s full interview may offer more clues about who could be on the way out, and the answer will signal whether the White House plans to regroup with its current team or rebuild before the battles ahead with the new Congress.