Donald Trump has confirmed he plans to shake up his cabinet following the Republicans’ midterm election defeat.
In his first sit-down interview since the loss, the 78-year-old president said’ 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat that staffing changes are coming. “I do. Yeah,” he replied when asked whether he expected to fire anyone. “I love my Cabinet. I think they’re good. But I’ll be doing maybe a few changes. I don’t wanna mention who,” he continued, keeping specific names under wraps.
Hours after the interview was taped, Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, handed in her resignation. Trump told reporters she had “done a very good job,” but added, “we’ve got to make moves sometimes.” Stephen Miller has since taken her place.
The press secretary position is also in flux. Katie Zacharia, 41, departed after just four days on the job. Trump denied firing her when speaking to reporters. “No no. I want her to have a good life…she’s been brutalized by the media,” he said. He questioned whether Zacharia “needed this,” noting that the press had been “pretty nasty” to her.
With the role vacant, Trump sparked headlines over the weekend by offering the position to UFC President Dana White. “I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent fighter and warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He later walked it back while speaking to reporters in Florida. “Of course, I was kidding. And you could see that because I put all of the great fighters as his assistants, that they’re all going to come with him. It was just a little fun,” he added.
Despite Democratic gains in both chambers fueling speculation about another impeachment push, Trump dismissed the possibility during the 60 Minutes interview. “Do you think they’ll impeach you again?” Douthat asked. “I can’t imagine it, what have I done?” Trump shot back. “I’ve had the best two years in the history of the presidency.”
Some Democrats have stoked the impeachment conversation. Adam Smith, the U.S. Representative for Washington, told TIME weeks before the election: “I think we have to try, even if it doesn’t succeed.”
Others in the party have downplayed the idea. Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, said he had not heard from members eager to pursue it. “I haven’t had a single member of the House Democratic caucus talk to me about impeachment,” he shared. Instead, he said Democrats were focused on holding the Trump administration accountable as well as affordability and the cost of living.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that a third impeachment does not concern him.