President Donald Trump stated he is preparing to make further changes to his Cabinet as he focuses on his agenda for the final two years of his presidency, following the Republican Party's midterm election defeats. In a wide-ranging interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," Trump confirmed that some members of his administration might be departing.
"I do. Yeah. Little bit," Trump replied when asked if 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."
The interview took place shortly before Trump announced the departure of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who was replaced by Stephen Miller. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's position has also come under scrutiny, although Trump publicly expressed confidence in him.
The Republican Party lost control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections, with Democrats gaining numerous seats. Trump acknowledged voter dissatisfaction with his handling of the Iran conflict and rising gasoline prices. "They didn't like the war. They didn't like the fact that gasoline went up," he said. However, he attributed Republican struggles partly to low voter turnout.
Trump also suggested his administration's immigration enforcement policies might have been too aggressive, noting that some undocumented immigrants who have worked in the U.S. for years, such as those in hotel or landscaping jobs, might deserve different consideration. He expressed openness to bipartisan cooperation on immigration, stating he could "very easily" stop insulting Democrats for six months if it facilitated an agreement.
Regarding the conflict with Iran, Trump defended his decision to initiate it, despite acknowledging its political impact. "I think historically, this will be a very good decision. Is it a good decision for today and tomorrow? Maybe not," he stated, but insisted he had no immediate plans to escalate the fighting.
Looking ahead, Trump indicated he may endorse a Republican successor for the 2028 presidential election and praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a potential contender, alongside Vice President JD Vance. "I think Marco's great," Trump said.
He also revealed plans to issue a substantial number of presidential pardons before leaving office, aiming to protect individuals who served in his administration from potential legal battles. When asked if he intended to pardon himself, Trump responded, "I don't," but did not entirely dismiss the possibility.
The president faces two years of divided government, potential investigations, and challenging negotiations with Democrats now controlling Congress.