Trump hints at more firings, backs Hegseth after midterm losses

President Donald Trump said Friday he may make "a few changes" to his administration following the Republican midterm defeat, while publicly expressing confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He has already replaced White House chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller. Wiles was replaced after Democrats secured control of both congressional chambers. Other departures include Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and Tulsi Gabbard, with Harmeet Dhillon resigning as assistant attorney general on November 5, though she stated the decision was not requested by the White House. Prediction markets list Hegseth among leading exit contenders, with Kalshi pricing a 36 percent chance he leaves before January 1. Miller, an architect of the administration's hard-line immigration program, is expected to intensify the agenda rather than compromise with incoming Democratic majorities.