Get ready for a lot of Trump administration departures after the midterms

The team in the White House could look very different after the midterms.
The Trump administration is preparing for a fairly significant staff shake-up following Tuesday's elections, The Washington Post reports. The staffer most likely to depart appears to be Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who President Trump has publicly rebuked on many occasions and who some sources expect to be fired "in a humiliating fashion" as soon as this week. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election meddling, is also a prime candidate to be fired; Trump had reportedly been warned to wait at least until after the midterms to give him the boot.
That's not all: Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen may leave on her own, as her relationship with Trump grows more strained, the Post reports, and the White House is already looking at replacements for her. Other possible departures include Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, although the latter two are expected to leave on their own rather than be fired. Chief of Staff John Kelly could also be on his way out, the Post reports, although noting that he has been asked to stay until 2020. Others in the administration are expected to leave their positions to join Trump's 2020 re-election campaign.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
While it's normal for an administration to see a handful of departures after a midterm election, Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told the Post that "the number of people resigning under pressure far exceeds that of any other administration."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
A wine-themed tour of beautiful Uruguay
The Week Recommends Secret paradise in South America boasts beautiful vineyards
By The Week UK Published
-
Romanian democracy: no place for the 'TikTok messiah' Calin Georgescu
Talking Point State is 'fighting back' against poster boy for right-wing conspiracists
By The Week UK Published
-
5 terrifically taxing cartoons about tariffs
Cartoons Artists take on rising prices, dumb ideas, and more
By The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published