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​AMMAN
​Sources close to the White House revealed in exclusive statements to Erem News escalating rift and division within US President Donald Trump’s inner circle, just one week after substantial Republican losses in the US congressional midterm elections.
​The internal fallout comes amid fierce deliberations over assigning responsibility for the electoral defeat among top officials, signaling potential high-level cabinet overhauls led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside mounting speculation regarding the political future of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio.
​According to sources, White House discussions since the announcement of the November 3 election results have highlighted deep internal divisions concerning the drivers behind the Republican decline. The management of the war with Iran and its domestic economic ramifications have emerged at the forefront of criteria by which official performance is currently being evaluated.
​Sources added that ending Hegseth’s tenure at the Pentagon has become a heavily discussed option around Trump, despite the President’s continued public defense of him. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is being actively floated as a potential replacement to head the Department of Defense.
​Hegseth in the Storm of Bipartisan Criticism
​These developments coincided with the return of Congress members to Washington on Monday, where Republican Representative Thomas Massie—a prominent critic of several Trump policies—reintroduced a resolution to impeach Hegseth. The motion encompasses eight articles targeting Hegseth's management of military operations in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela, alongside allegations of exceeding constitutional authority.
​Republican sources told Erem News that criticism of the Defense Secretary is no longer confined to Democrats, but has extended to senior GOP leaders who hold Hegseth politically accountable for the party's election loss. Objections center on his operational management of the military establishment and the prolonged duration of the conflict with Iran, which bypassed initial estimates projecting a four-to-six-week completion window.
​The continuation of military operations over months, coupled with requests for supplementary congressional funding and the conflict's inflationary impact on fuel and living costs, have deepened dissatisfaction within the party.
​While Trump renewed public confidence in Hegseth, commending his role in military operations against Iran and Venezuela, sources close to the administration noted that public support does not necessarily reflect ongoing private deliberations regarding the Secretary's future—particularly under mounting pressure to respond to voter signals.
​Democrats Monitor GOP Rift; Potential Transition Hurdles
​Democratic leaders informed Erem News that internal Republican friction regarding Hegseth underscores broadening opposition to Middle East military engagement, even within the governing party. Democrats are closely tracking these discussions to determine whether Trump will be compelled to replace his defense chief or review overall military strategy.
​The President’s inner circle fears that delaying Hegseth’s replacement could complicate the Senate confirmation process for a successor, especially with Democrats set to assume control of the Senate early next year. Additionally, outgoing Republicans who lost their seats may be unwilling to endorse new administration nominees, blaming the executive branch for ending their political careers in Washington.
​DeSantis Back in Cabinet Calculations
​White House-aligned sources confirmed that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has re-emerged as a primary contender to succeed Hegseth, having been considered for the role previously. Analysts suggest DeSantis possesses two key advantages appealing to GOP factions: his military background and executive experience governing Florida.
​Furthermore, DeSantis's critical stance on the Iranian conflict has propelled him back into political discussions, after he identified prolonged military engagements and high fuel prices as severe handicaps for Republican candidates. Former Obama and Biden administration officials noted that DeSantis might restore degree of institutional stability to the Pentagon given his administrative and military background, though any nomination remains subject to congressional dynamics and timing.
​Susie Wiles Departs as Chief of Staff; Stephen Miller Appointed
​Cabinet reconfigurations have already commenced within the White House following the exit of Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff. President Trump subsequently announced the appointment of senior advisor Stephen Miller as her successor.
​The management shift follows Trump's interview on 60 Minutes, where he acknowledged intentions to implement changes within his team while asserting general satisfaction with cabinet performance. Sources indicated Wiles’s departure may mark the first of several changes involving senior officials who helped formulate the administration's political and electoral strategy, as Trump attempts to regain political initiative following the loss of Republican majorities in Congress.
​Rubio, Vance, and 2028 Political Calculations
​In a related development, informed sources disclosed a potential scenario involving the departure of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amidst speculation surrounding his 2028 presidential ambitions. Sources suggest Rubio may find political utility in distancing himself from the administration in the upcoming phase to avoid carrying the weight of its policy outcomes, particularly if Middle East conflicts and economic strain persist.
​However, Rubio publicly denied any intention to step down, emphasizing his commitment to serving President Trump through the end of his term and dismissing 2028 presidential campaign discussions.
​Sources note that Rubio’s future is intertwined with calculations involving Vice President JD Vance, another prominent figure positioned for a potential 2028 run. The midterm results have reshuffled these long-term political strategies, weakening the administration's standing and triggering early debate over the future direction of the Republican Party.
​Source: Rum News Agency