In President Donald
More than 24 have left administration, raising the question: Who’s next to go?
Trump’s administration, few are secure in their job.
President Donald Trump has ousted more than two dozen members of his administration, creating the impression of chaos and a national guessing game of who will be next.
Most of the casualties have been senior aides — remember Steve Bannon and Anthony Scaramucci?
Of his original Cabinet — positions that require confirmation by the Senate — a total of three have been dismissed or forced to resign. They are Tom Price (Health and Human Services secretary), Rex Tillerson (secretary of state) and, last week, David Shulkin (Veterans Affairs secretary).
But in Trump’s orbit, few people are safe.
Here’s a look at some key officials and why they might stay or go:
Ben Carson, secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Why he might stay: Carson is a loyalist, and Trump favors those. Shortly after Carson dropped out of the 2016 presidential race, he tossed his support to Trump and tried to help him make inroads with black and Latino voters. He’s also the lone African-American with a high-level position in the Trump administration and has defended the president on racial issues. Why he might go: He’s been relatively quiet since Trump took office, but in recent weeks that has changed.
Carson’s wife bought a dining room set for his office that cost HUD $31,000. Speaking before a House committee last month, Carson addressed the purchase, saying he’s “not really big into decorating.”
The furniture order has since been canceled.
Betsy DeVos, secretary of education
Why she might stay: In recent weeks, Trump has shown confidence in DeVos as the two have been in lockstep on a controversial issue: whether to arm teachers. Since the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., both have supported the idea. Last month, Trump tapped DeVos to head a school safety commission that will craft measures to keep students safe and explore how to prevent mass shootings.
Why she might go: Bad ratings. She was also widely ridiculed for a recent “60 Minutes” interview in which she gave vague answers on school choice, sexual assault on college campuses and other issues.
Steve Schmidt, a longtime Republican strategist who served as a senior adviser on John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, described the interview in one word: “Bad.”
“She humiliated herself and the administration,” he said. “That’s what Trump hates most — humiliation. But, for now, she remains.”
John Kelly, chief of staff
Why he might stay: He’s a retired four-star general, and Trump has said he likes generals. Since he became chief of staff in July, Kelly has sought to bring order to the West Wing, something at the time Trump reportedly said was much needed.
In public, at least, Trump says he likes Kelly.
Why he might go: In private, however, it’s been reported that Trump is souring on Kelly. In recent weeks, Trump has complained the management structure in the West Wing doesn’t suit the freewheeling style he employed as a businessman, according to several news outlets.
Kelly made negative headlines recently when he acknowledged he mishandled accusations of domestic abuse that were made by ex-wives of Rob Porter, who resigned in February from his job as White House staff secretary.
James Mattis, secretary of defense
Why he might stay: He’s a general. And for the most part, Trump has avoided confrontation with Mattis and stayed out of his way at the Pentagon. The president has also made concessions at the request of Mattis.
Last month, Trump signed a spending bill after threatening a veto. Mattis had been vocal in his support for the bill because it boosts Pentagon funding.
“If he goes, it’s not good for the safety of our country,” said Schmidt, the Republican strategist. “He keeps Trump in line.” Why he might go: His allies are leaving the administration. In recent weeks, Rex Tillerson and H.R. McMaster were relieved of their duties as secretary of state and national security adviser, respectively. Mattis has also publicly split with the president on issues such as North Korea and Iran. If he becomes more vocal, that could lead to his departure as well.
Jeff Sessions, U.S. attorney general
Why he might stay: If Trump fires Sessions, it could open a legal morass. It’s been reported that special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, is looking into whether Trump tried to pressure Sessions to resign and whether that could be part of an obstruction of justice case.
In addition, firing Sessions could ignite a strong response in Congress, where many Republicans are still supportive of the former senator from Alabama. He’s also been willing to implement some of Trump’s most controversial policies, including a travel ban targeting nationals of several majority-Muslim countries. Why he might go: Since Sessions recused himself from the Russia inquiry last year, Trump has assailed him relentlessly.
At some point the humiliation “may just be too much to overcome,” Schmidt said. Sessions “might leave on his own ... you would think that might have happened months ago.”
Ryan Zinke, secretary of interior
Why he might stay: He is another Trump loyalist. The former congressman from Montana was an early supporter of Trump’s presidential bid. And he’s the point man for Trump’s widely touted plan to expand offshore drilling, including along the Gulf Coast. In January, Zinke and Trump released a proposal to open the largest expanse of the nation’s offshore oil and natural gas reserves for exploration ever offered to global energy companies. Why he might go: Zinke has amassed bad headlines. In October, the Office of Inspector General launched an investigation after news reports revealed that Zinke chartered a $12,375 flight from Las Vegas to an airport near his home in Montana, where he spent the night.