By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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President Donald Trump has made his first major personnel move following the Republican Party's devastating midterm defeat, replacing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller in a shake-up that raises fresh questions about who could be next to leave his administration.
Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that Miller, currently the administration's deputy chief of staff and one of the president's closest advisers, would take over as chief of staff beginning Monday.
Wiles, meanwhile, will move to Trump's political operation.
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"I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026," Trump wrote. "Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!"
The announcement marks a significant change in the administration's leadership just days after Republicans suffered an unprecedented midterm defeat, with Democrats preparing to take control of both chambers of Congress.
It also raises questions about the direction of Trump's administration under Miller, an influential conservative strategist who has been closely involved in some of the president's most consequential domestic policy decisions, particularly immigration.
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The personnel questions extend well beyond the chief of staff's office.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is facing renewed speculation about his political future and a possible 2028 presidential campaign. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has come under pressure amid questions about the administration's Iran policy, and is facing articles of impeachment when lawmakers return to Congress next week. Even Vice President JD Vance has begun publicly distinguishing himself from the president over the war.
FBI Director Kash Patel, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy are also among the figures worth watching as the administration enters a politically difficult period.
Trump had initially insisted that he did not intend to undertake a broader Cabinet shake-up following the midterm results.
In an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Tuesday night, the president was asked directly whether he planned to make changes to his Cabinet following the Republican losses.
"No, I don't think so. Had nothing to do with my Cabinet," Trump responded.
Newsweek contacted the White House on Thursday to ask whether Trump intended to review positions within his senior White House staff and Cabinet following the midterm results. We also asked whether the president continued to have complete confidence in Wiles and whether she was expected to remain as chief of staff.
In response, White House spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez told Newsweek: "President Trump has a strong, united team singularly focused on delivering for the American people."
Alvarez did not directly address questions about Wiles' future, but criticized those suggesting that senior administration officials could be on their way out.
"The self-serving individuals peddling stories to undermine the President and his team are only exposing their own personal ambitions. While they play political games, we remain focused on what matters. We know what's at stake, we won't be distracted, and we won't stop until the job is done," she said.
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The statement came just 24 hours before Trump announced that Wiles would be replaced by Stephen Miller as chief of staff.
On Friday Trump confirmed, shortly before the Wiles announcement, that he expected to fire at least one person following Republicans' losses in both chambers of Congress.
"I love my Cabinet. I think they're good," he told 60 Minutes. "But I'll … be doing maybe a few changes."
He later explained the reason for Wiles' departure, simply telling reporters he had "wanted to make a change," adding: "Sometimes in life, you have to make moves."
Wiles subsequently confirmed the change in a post on X on Friday, writing: "Today is my last day as White House Chief of Staff."
"Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime. I'm so proud to have been a part of what we've accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First," she wrote. "More than anything, I'm grateful for the extraordinary people I've had the privilege of working alongside. While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will."
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had made "the perfect choice" in naming her "dear friend" Stephen Miller as his new Chief of Staff. "No one is more loyal, more hardworking, or more in touch with the America First movement than Stephen."
Leavitt also suggested that the administration should treat the election defeat as an opportunity to reassess its approach.
"Now is the time to fix what's not working and double down on all of the victories we've already achieved. What we cannot do is fall into despair and hand the country over to the Radical Democrats," she wrote.
The question is no longer whether Trump will make changes. It is whether the president's latest decision signals a broader restructuring, and whether the Republican Party's succession battle is beginning to take shape while Trump is still in office.
First Major Shake-Up: Susie Wiles Moves Aside
As Trump's chief of staff, Wiles was widely regarded as one of the most influential people in his inner circle, having helped engineer his 2024 victory and bring greater discipline to his political operation.
But her position had increasingly come under scrutiny as Trump's approval ratings fell, Republicans suffered a series of electoral defeats and dissatisfaction with the administration grew.
Former Trump staffer Caroline Sunshine publicly argued this week that Wiles should resign, saying her campaign abilities had not translated into effective White House management.
"Susie Wiles needs to resign," Sunshine said during an appearance on Fox News.
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Her argument was that Wiles had received considerable credit for Trump's historic 2024 victory and should also bear responsibility for the administration's historic 2026 defeat.
The criticism was not entirely new. Last month Politico reported that Trump had received negative feedback about Wiles from allies, although the president publicly dismissed the reporting calling "TOTAL FAKE NEWS" and insisting that Wiles had his "COMPLETE confidence."
Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney had also predicted that Wiles could leave after the midterms, describing a potential departure as a natural transition rather than necessarily a dismissal.
Wiles' move to Trump's political operation also means she could retain considerable influence over the president's political activities, even as she relinquishes one of the most powerful positions in the White House.
Pete Hegseth: A Potential Scapegoat
Hegseth could be among the next senior figures to leave the administration, with the unpopularity of the Iran war — an issue cited by voters as a factor in the Republican midterm losses — potentially leaving the defense secretary particularly vulnerable.
He is also facing broader scrutiny over his management of the Pentagon, including the dismissal of senior military officers, the Signal group-chat controversy and questions surrounding military operations against suspected drug-trafficking vessels near Venezuela.
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Trump has reportedly been asking advisers and allies whether Hegseth should remain in his position following the Republican defeat.
However, the decision could ultimately be taken out of the president's hands. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has announced plans to introduce articles of impeachment against the defense secretary as early as next week.
Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, a scholar who studies presidential staffing and turnover, told Newsweek that Trump may consider removing Hegseth to head off potentially damaging congressional hearings, investigations and impeachment proceedings when Democrats take control of Congress in January.
When asked on Friday whether he had confidence in Hegseth, Trump told 60 Minutes: "I do."
He also defended his administration's military record, claiming: "We've won two wars. We've won Venezuela and taken out billions and billions and billions of dollars already."
Prediction markets have also reflected the growing speculation. Kalshi odds on Hegseth leaving the administration climbed to 62 percent the day after the midterms, up from 41.7 percent on Sunday. The probability of his impeachment before July also reached 65 percent, although both figures have since fallen, with the departure odds dropping to 30 percent.
Polymarket similarly placed the probability of Hegseth leaving at approximately 60 percent on Thursday.
His departure would be particularly consequential because it could allow Trump to signal that he recognizes the need to respond to mounting criticism without accepting responsibility for the underlying strategic decisions that have made the Iran war such a political liability.
Marco Rubio: An Exit That Could be About 2028
Rubio could be the next high-profile departure, but for very different reasons.
The secretary of state is already being discussed as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race, and speculation is growing that he could eventually step aside to focus on laying the groundwork for a campaign.
Leaving the administration could also give Rubio an opportunity to establish some distance from the increasingly unpopular Iran war and the wider political fallout facing the Trump White House.
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Unlike a potential dismissal of Hegseth, Rubio's departure would therefore be more likely to reflect his own political ambitions and the approaching Republican succession battle than an attempt by Trump to reshuffle his Cabinet.
Rubio has long been regarded as a serious Republican presidential contender, and his relationship with Vance could become one of the defining dynamics of the 2028 Republican contest.
“It makes complete sense for him to step down and leave the administration," a Washington insider and Rubio ally told The Independent. “Rubio is the leading candidate at the moment to be the [Republican] nominee. He’s definitely ahead of Vance. But he cannot run while he is still secretary of state, and being tied to the administration will only harm his prospects anyway.”
Rubio has previously said he has no immediate plans to run for president, and administration officials have strongly rejected suggestions that he is preparing to resign.
Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, told Newsweek: "This is complete and total fake news based on the word of anonymous sources, befitting a tabloid. The Secretary has not discussed leaving his role and he will continue to proudly serve in President Trump's administration long after this fake news is revealed as yet another baseless hoax."
Nevertheless, the political incentives surrounding Rubio are changing. Remaining in the Cabinet means continuing to defend an administration whose political standing has deteriorated dramatically. Leaving would give him an opportunity to establish a more independent identity.
Prediction markets have also reflected the speculation.
Kalshi reported November 5 that the probability of Rubio leaving the administration this year had reached a peak of 55 percent, up 45 percentage points from November 2.
A separate Kalshi market placed the probability of Rubio leaving before July 2027 at approximately 52 percent, and before October 2027 at approximately 66 percent.
JD Vance: The Most Important Political Break
Vance may be the most consequential figure in the administration's post-election personnel discussion, even if he is among the least likely to leave his current position.
The vice president has already made clear that he sees the Iran war as central to understanding the Republican defeat.
In the aftermath of the election, Vance argued that Republicans needed an honest conversation about the war, explicitly identifying it as a major reason for the party's losses.
"The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night," Vance said. "Any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there."
That is a notable departure from the usual post-election instinct to defend the president and present a united front.
Vance has obvious political incentives. As a potential 2028 presidential candidate, he needs to preserve his standing with Trump's supporters while demonstrating that he can offer a different direction when circumstances demand it.
His challenge is delicate. He cannot easily repudiate Trump without alienating the political coalition that made him vice president. But he also cannot simply inherit every unpopular decision of the administration and expect to enter 2028 without political liabilities.
Kash Patel: An FBI Director Under Mounting Scrutiny
Patel deserves a place in the administration's post-election personnel discussion, although his circumstances are different from those of Cabinet officials.
The FBI director has faced sustained scrutiny over his management of the bureau, personnel decisions and the extent to which the agency is being used to pursue Trump's political priorities.
In September, Patel appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where lawmakers questioned him about the dismissal of experienced FBI employees, investigations involving Trump's political opponents, proposed changes to hiring standards and whether federal agents might be deployed to polling locations.
Republican Chairman Chuck Grassley also questioned him, although Republicans on the committee generally took a more supportive approach than Democrats. Patel defended his management and argued that he was addressing political weaponization within the bureau. Critics contend that his own actions have politicized the agency.
Reuters reported in April, that the administration had discussed possible departures involving Patel, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. No final decisions had been made at the time.
Prediction markets have also tracked Patel's position, with Kalshi putting odds of 24 percent on that the FBI director will be gone by the end of the year.
Howard Lutnick: Economic Pressure Could Put Commerce Under Scrutiny
The administration's economic messaging has become increasingly important following the Republican defeat, particularly around inflation, affordability, energy prices and the consequences of the Iran war.
That could make senior economic officials more exposed if Trump decides he needs to demonstrate a change in direction.
Prediction market Kalshi has placed 20 percent odds on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick leaving the Cabinet by the end of the year - significantly lower than Hegseth's but Lutnick's position is different from Rubio's. He does not have an obvious presidential succession incentive, and his future is more closely connected to Trump's economic agenda and confidence in his ability to deliver on it.
Harmeet Dhillon: An Early Departure and A Political Warning
One early indication of the administration's post-election personnel changes came Thursday, when Harmeet Dhillon announced her resignation as assistant attorney general overseeing the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
DNC Chairman Ken Martin described Dhillon as the first of potentially many administration officials who could leave following the election.
"Harmeet Dhillon will be the first of many Trump-Vance administration officials who resign in disgrace after Republicans were humiliated in the midterm elections this week," Martin said.
He accused Dhillon of using her position to advance Trump's personal and political interests, adding: "Now that voters have spoken and there's no more denying that Americans are outraged by this administration, Dhillon is fleeing — but Americans won't forget that she was one of Trump's most loyal foot soldiers."
John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Jason Reding Quiñones, who worked as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida out of Miami, also both resigned this week following the midterm results.
Quiñones previously worked in the DOJ's National Security Division on counterterrorism and intelligence matters, as well as serving as a federal prosecutor in both Southern Florida and the Eastern District of Virginia, and in the U.S. military.
"From serving our Nation in uniform to serving at the Department of Justice and on the bench, public service has been the honor of my lifetime. But leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office in my home district has been especially meaningful," he posted on X Friday. "I am grateful to President Trump for his trust and to the extraordinary men and women of the great Southern District of Florida for their dedication, friendship, and unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law."
Stephen Miller: The New Chief of Staff
Miller's appointment is an important signal about the direction Trump intends to take following the Republican defeat.
As deputy chief of staff, Miller has already wielded considerable influence over the administration's policy agenda. He has been particularly prominent on immigration, border enforcement and the president's broader domestic priorities. Now, as chief of staff, he will occupy a central position in managing the White House and coordinating the president's agenda.
The contrast with Wiles is notable. Wiles was generally viewed as a more traditional political operator, with extensive experience in campaign management and Republican electoral politics. Miller, by comparison, is closely associated with the ideological and policy-driven side of Trump's presidency.
His elevation suggests that Trump may be placing even greater emphasis on enforcing his agenda and maintaining internal loyalty at a moment when Republicans are facing serious political headwinds.
However, if the administration's midterm defeat was partly driven by voter dissatisfaction with its approach to immigration, foreign policy and the economy, Miller's elevation may do little to reassure Republicans who believe the White House needs a change in direction.
Miller was seen Friday grinning as he crossed the White House lawn and waving at the media following the announcement.
What Happens Next? Trump Could Double Down or Clear House
John T. Woolley, professor emeritus of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and co-director of the American Presidency Project, told Newsweek ahead of Wiles' announcement that a more "conventional" president, might look to remove officials associated with perceived failures or who have become political liabilities.
He identified Hegseth, Patel, former White House adviser Peter Navarro, Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as figures who could potentially come under scrutiny.
"But he would need replacements who can get confirmation," Woolley said. "And DJT would have to signal some policy changes."
Woolley also cautioned that not every departure would necessarily be initiated by Trump. Some members of the administration may simply decide they have had enough and leave voluntarily.
"Some people will just jump ship because they have had enough," he said, adding that there were undoubtedly people in that category, potentially including members of the White House's core team.
Alternatively, Woolley suggested Trump could decide against a substantial personnel overhaul and instead use Democratic control of Congress as a political rallying point, positioning himself as defending the country against what he characterizes as the opposition's dangerous policies.
That would mean the Wiles announcement could represent a targeted change in White House management rather than the beginning of a much broader restructuring.
The Historical Precedent: Midterm Defeats and White House Turnover
Presidents rarely emerge from major midterm defeats without reassessing their political operations. But the historical record does not support a simple formula in which a bad election automatically produces a Cabinet purge.
Tenpas told Newsweek that she had examined Cabinet departures across administrations dating back to Ronald Reagan. Her research suggests that major Cabinet shake-ups following second-term midterm defeats are relatively rare.
Reagan asked Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to leave in the aftermath of the Iran-Contra affair. George W. Bush asked Donald Rumsfeld to leave following the 2006 midterms, amid mounting criticism of the Iraq War. Barack Obama asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to leave in 2014, partly because of tensions with White House staff.
Tenpas stressed that these examples did not amount to a mass exodus of Cabinet officials.
"Historically, it's not common that there's a huge exodus," she said. "You might lose one or one Cabinet member and maybe a chief of staff down the road, but it's not a big, big deal."
The closest comparison may be Trump's own 2018 experience.
After Republicans lost control of the House, John Kelly's departure as chief of staff was announced in December. Mick Mulvaney became acting chief of staff, and several senior administration figures left around the same period.
However, Tenpas did note that Trump's first administration was an outlier among modern presidencies for the proportion of senior staff who departed. His second administration has also experienced a high rate of turnover, although the departures have attracted less public attention. She also distinguished between Cabinet turnover and senior White House staff turnover. Although Trump has experienced significant departures among senior aides, his Cabinet has been comparatively more stable than during his first administration.
However, Tenpas warned that research suggested that removing controversial aides does not necessarily translate into higher presidential approval ratings.
"There's research, political science research that shows that staff purges and firing people, it doesn't change presidents' approval ratings," she said.
Changes may have symbolic value, particularly when presidents want to demonstrate to members of Congress that they are responding to concerns. In Trump's case, Tenpas suggested that the political calculation may be less about winning back the public and more about reducing controversy ahead of congressional investigations.
She identified Hegseth and other controversial figures as potential targets if Trump decides he wants to reduce friction with a Democratic-controlled Congress.
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