The White House is preparing for the possibility of Cabinet changes as President Donald Trump nears the one-year mark of his second term in office. While no official decisions have been made, conversations are happening behind the scenes, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
So far, Trump’s Cabinet has remained mostly steady. That stability appears to be intentional, as top officials aimed to avoid the rapid turnover that marked Trump’s first term in office. But as the administration hits its stride, some changes could be on the way.
One department that could see new leadership is the Department of Homeland Security, currently led by Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, has been a key player in carrying out the president’s agenda on immigration and deportation. Publicly, President Trump has continued to support Noem and praise her work, but sources say tension is growing behind the scenes — not because of Noem directly, but due to her close adviser Corey Lewandowski.
Lewandowski, a longtime Trump loyalist, has served as a special government employee at DHS and has been heavily involved in decision-making. Multiple officials have allegedly expressed frustration with his influence at the agency. They claim Lewandowski has clashed with other leaders, micromanaged operations, and reprimanded staff who he felt were not acting quickly enough on the administration’s policies.
In September, Trump held a meeting with both Noem and Lewandowski that reportedly turned tense. One source said the president left the meeting frustrated with Lewandowski, even though his relationship with Noem remained positive. The situation has sparked speculation that both Noem and Lewandowski could eventually step away from the department — either together or separately.
In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the results at DHS “speak for themselves,” pointing to record deportations and stronger border security under Noem’s leadership. A DHS spokesperson also defended Lewandowski’s role, stating he’s holding officials accountable to carry out the president’s agenda.
Another Cabinet member whose future has been questioned is Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Wright, a former energy executive from Colorado, has reportedly faced criticism from some White House officials who believe he has been slow to push forward Trump’s energy promises. Some also claim his leadership has led to high staff turnover within the department.
Despite these reports, both the White House and the Energy Department have pushed back. Energy Department spokesman Ben Dietderich said President Trump recently called Wright “the number one energy person anywhere in the world.” A White House spokeswoman said Wright has helped lead the charge on restoring American energy independence, pointing to record oil production and falling gas prices.
Speculation about possible Cabinet shifts isn’t new. Earlier this year, some officials also discussed replacing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after an internal investigation found he had allegedly shared classified information through a Signal message that included a journalist. No formal action was taken, and Hegseth remains in his role, but sources say pressure could increase depending on the outcome of the Pentagon’s final report.
Another name being floated for future Cabinet roles is Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will be term-limited out of office in January. While Trump and Youngkin have exchanged praise in public, there has not yet been a formal offer for any position. People close to Youngkin say he would be interested in a role focused on the economy or business, but would likely avoid taking on a leadership role in immigration enforcement.
A senior White House official confirmed Youngkin is being considered for a role, saying, “It has been made clear that [Youngkin] is interested in working for the administration in some capacity.”
Youngkin has also been active outside Virginia, making appearances in key early primary states like Iowa and South Carolina, suggesting he is keeping his political future open. For now, he has not confirmed any plans once he leaves office, and a spokesperson declined to comment.
As the Trump administration wraps up its first year back in office, some movement within the Cabinet would not be unusual. Every administration sees changes over time, and any potential departures or replacements will likely reflect the president’s continued focus on loyalty, results, and executing the policies he promised to voters.
