Trump Weighs Broader Cabinet Shake-Up as Iran War Pressure Grows/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is considering a broader cabinet shake-up as pressure from the Iran war mounts. Falling approval ratings, rising gas prices, and political concerns ahead of midterms are driving discussions. Several senior officials, including intelligence and commerce leaders, are reportedly under review.
Trump Cabinet Shake-Up — Quick Looks
- Trump considering cabinet reshuffle
- Pressure growing from Iran war fallout
- Gas prices rising and approval ratings falling
- Intelligence chief reportedly under scrutiny
- Commerce secretary also facing criticism
- Recent removals include Bondi and Noem
- White House considering targeted personnel changes
- Midterm election concerns driving strategy
- Trump frustrated with media coverage
- Possible changes before November elections
Deep Look: Trump Weighs Cabinet Shake-Up Amid Iran War Pressure
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is considering a broader cabinet shake-up as political and economic pressures tied to the Iran war mount, according to multiple sources familiar with internal White House discussions.
The potential reshuffling follows the recent removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi and comes as the administration grapples with declining approval ratings, rising gas prices, and growing concerns about Republican prospects ahead of midterm elections.
Officials say the five-week-old conflict with Iran has created a challenging political environment for the administration. Economic fallout from the war, including higher fuel costs, has contributed to voter frustration and intensified scrutiny of the White House’s handling of the conflict.
Several administration officials are reportedly under review, although no specific decisions have been finalized. Sources indicated that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are among those potentially at risk as Trump evaluates possible changes.
Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Gabbard in recent months, with one senior official noting that the president has asked allies for input on possible replacements. Meanwhile, some Trump allies have privately urged the removal of Lutnick, citing renewed scrutiny over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick has previously acknowledged having lunch with Epstein on a private Caribbean island in 2012 but has said he had minimal involvement with him.
Despite the speculation, the White House publicly maintains confidence in both officials. Spokesperson Davis Ingle said Trump believes his cabinet has delivered major accomplishments, including intelligence successes and trade deals.
“The President has assembled the most talented and impactful Cabinet ever,” Ingle said in a statement.
Still, insiders suggest the possibility of additional changes has grown more serious in recent weeks. One official described the potential approach as a “targeted churn” rather than a sweeping overhaul.
Trump has historically been cautious about large-scale cabinet changes after staffing turnover during his first administration drew criticism and created perceptions of instability. However, advisers say the current political climate may require action.
The president’s televised address to the nation earlier this week was intended to reassure Americans about the direction of the Iran conflict. However, some officials said the speech failed to improve public perception and added to calls for adjustments in messaging or personnel.
“The speech did not accomplish what it was supposed to,” one official said, noting that economic concerns — particularly fuel prices — continue to weigh heavily on voters.
Polling data reflects the growing challenges. A recent survey found that only 36% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, marking the lowest rating of his current term. The war itself has also drawn criticism, with a majority of respondents opposing the U.S.-Israeli decision to initiate the conflict.
Trump is also reportedly frustrated with media coverage of the war and has pushed for more positive reporting. However, sources said the president has not indicated interest in adjusting his own messaging approach.
Some cabinet members facing criticism have nevertheless remained in place for extended periods. For example, Lutnick faced backlash last year after announcing sweeping global tariffs, while Gabbard previously drew criticism for comments about U.S. military intervention.
Despite past controversies, insiders say the current environment makes leadership changes more likely. One senior official said Trump may prefer to make adjustments now, well before midterm elections.
Another White House source suggested more changes are likely following Bondi’s departure.
“Bondi is not the last one,” the official said.
Ultimately, Trump may decide to make limited adjustments or avoid major changes altogether. But as the Iran conflict continues and political pressure builds, the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle remains under serious consideration.
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