US administration eyes massive shake-up

Some embattled officials, including Sessions, are expected to be fired or actively pushed out by Trump

The Trump administration is bracing for a massive staff shake-up in the weeks following the midterm elections, as the fates of a number of Cabinet secretaries and top White House aides are increasingly uncertain heading into a potentially perilous time for US President Donald Trump.

Some embattled officials, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, are expected to be fired or actively pushed out by Trump after months of bitter recriminations. Others, like Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, may leave amid a mutual recognition that their relationship with the president has become too strained. And more still plan to take top roles on Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign or seek lucrative jobs in the private sector after nearly two years in government. The expected midterm exodus would bring fresh uncertainty and churn to a White House already plagued by high turn-over and internal chaos. Many in Trump’s orbit worry that the administration will face challenges filling the vacancies — especially if Democrats win the House majority and use their oversight powers to investigate the administration and issue subpoenas to top officials.

Trump’s allies, however, say that any departures would give the president a chance to reshape the White House more fully in his own image.

“I don’t think he likes people leaving him,” said Marc Short, the former White House director of legislative affairs. But, he added, “It does provide the president with an opportunity to reset. When he came in during the transition, Washington was new to him. I think he has a better idea of the talent he wants around him.” This portrait of the White House preparing for postmidterm staff changes comes from interviews with 14 senior White House officials, administration aides and Republican operatives. Other Cabinet officials — including Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Nielsen — also face uncertain futures.