Expect to see new faces on Trump's Cabinet after the midterms

As soon as the midterm elections are over next month, don't be surprised if several of President Trump's Cabinet officials leave the administration, either by choice or by force, people inside and close to the White House told Politico.

Trump already has the highest turnover rate in recent history, with several Cabinet officials fired, like former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The most likely to leave are Defense Secretary James Mattis, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, administration sources and White House advisers said. U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley announced last month she is leaving at the end of the year, one of the rare Cabinet members to not get the boot, but there is no replacement in line.

Several people told Politico they believe that Attorney General Jeff Sessions — who enraged Trump last year when he recused himself from the Russia investigation, which led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller — will be the first one fired after the midterms, and it could happen via tweet. One Republican close to the White House said Trump is "looking to get better performers — all of these decisions are being made in the context of the re-election campaign. Trump wants the strongest possible A-team going into 2020."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up