During an interview with CBS correspondent Ross Douthat recorded Friday, Trump was asked whether he expected to fire anyone after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.
“I do, yeah. Little bit,” Trump responded.
He went on to say that he liked his Cabinet but expected to make “maybe a few changes,” declining to identify which officials could be affected.
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The comments came just hours before Trump announced that Wiles would leave her position as White House chief of staff and move to his political operation. Stephen Miller, Trump’s longtime adviser and deputy chief of staff, will take over the position beginning Monday, November 9.
Wiles’ departure represents a major change inside Trump’s administration. She was the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff and had been one of his closest political advisers, helping manage his presidential campaigns and transition into the White House.
According to CBS News, Wiles submitted her resignation Thursday, following the Republican Party’s midterm defeats. Trump later told reporters that he wanted to make a change, adding that sometimes in life, “you have to make moves.”
The leadership change also raises questions about the direction of the administration during the final two years of Trump’s term.
Miller’s promotion places one of Trump’s most influential and hard-line advisers in the White House’s top management position. He has played a central role in developing the administration’s immigration policies, including its mass deportation agenda and efforts to expand federal immigration enforcement.
His appointment comes after immigration enforcement became a major political issue during the midterm campaign, with Democratic candidates criticizing the administration’s deportation operations and treatment of immigrant communities.
Trump also addressed questions about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the 60 Minutes interview. When Douthat asked whether he still had confidence in Hegseth amid questions about his leadership at the Pentagon, Trump answered yes.
Trump defended the defense secretary by pointing to what he described as military victories involving Venezuela. However, his characterization of those operations and his claims about their financial results should be understood as statements made by Trump, not independently verified conclusions.
The possibility of additional Cabinet changes comes as Republicans face a difficult political position. Democrats have secured control of both the House and Senate, giving them greater power to investigate the administration, challenge its nominees, hold hearings and block legislation.
The election results have also intensified disagreements within the Republican Party over Trump’s policies, campaign strategy and the direction of the party heading into the next presidential election cycle.
For Black Americans, the coming leadership changes could have consequences across several areas of federal policy, particularly immigration enforcement, voting rights, civil rights protections and the federal government’s approach to diversity and equal opportunity.
With Miller moving into the chief of staff position and Trump openly acknowledging that additional personnel changes are possible, the administration could be entering a period of significant internal restructuring.
The full 60 Minutes interview with Trump is scheduled to air Sunday, November 8, at 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS and Paramount+. The interview is expected to provide additional answers about Trump’s reaction to the election results, his plans for the remainder of his term and whether other administration officials could be on their way out.
