President Trump signaled that former chief of staff Susie Wiles will not be the only high-profile administration official to leave in response to the Republican Party's midterm election losses, teasing a potential Cabinet shakeup in a "60 Minutes" interview recorded just hours before Wiles was replaced.
"I do," Trump told correspondent Ross Douthat when asked if he plans to terminate anyone from his team after Republicans lost their majorities in the House and Senate, according to a clip of the interview released Friday night. "A little bit," he continued. "I love my Cabinet. I think they're good, but I'll be doing maybe a few changes. I don't want to mention who."
The interview, which airs in full on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on CBS, was taped Friday morning. By the afternoon, Trump announced on Truth Social that he was replacing Wiles with longtime adviser Stephen Miller, effective Monday. "Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation," the president wrote. "I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!"
Trump was also asked in the interview whether he has confidence in War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who may face an impeachment vote when the House reconvenes next week. "I do," the president responded, adding: "Look, we've won two wars. We've won Venezuela and taken out billions and billions and billions of dollars already." When asked if he credits Hegseth with the Venezuela operation, Trump said: "No, but he was a part of it."
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have questioned the Pentagon chief's leadership and judgment ahead of the potential vote. Earlier this week, Hegseth ruled out voluntarily leaving his post. "Just like the president. We don't back down," Hegseth said in a video message Thursday.
