By Ahmed Abdelsalam
A civil war is brewing inside the Trump administration after Republicans suffered crippling midterm losses on Tuesday, with insiders scrambling to assign blame and find someone to take the fall. President Donald Trump has publicly said he has no plans to make Cabinet changes, faulting GOP candidates and congratulating Democrats, who regained control of both the House and Senate. Behind the scenes, however, officials are searching for a suitable scalp while seeking to insulate themselves from a potential purge.
Blame Shifts to Defense Secretary Hegseth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is seen by many as the leading contender to take the fall given his role in prosecuting the Iran war, which exit polls show was a major voter concern. Trump has reportedly called close advisers asking whether Hegseth should be dismissed, and some believe he could depart the Pentagon before the new Congress is sworn in in January. If not fired, Hegseth faces likely impeachment by Democrats, and outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie has vowed to seek his ouster. The Pentagon atmosphere is described as "very dynamic" with "knives out," though the White House insists Hegseth retains the president's full support.
Vance Distances Himself from Iran War
Vice President JD Vance has already declared the Iran war — now in its eighth month — as the proximate cause of the midterm trouncing. In a lengthy X post Wednesday, Vance wrote that the president himself said the war was the reason for the loss. Trump, who told Fox News the war was one of many factors, was reportedly blindsided by the post. White House insiders described Vance's statement as a calculated effort to distance himself and pin blame on more hawkish officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Critics within the administration called the move "too little, too late" and "pathetic."
Wiles Maneuvers to Protect Her Position
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, dubbed the "ice maiden" by Trump, is reportedly moving to pit key players — particularly Vance and Rubio — against each other to save her own skin. Sources say shifting blame to Hegseth, putting Rubio in the firing line, and giving Vance a headache guarantees Wiles' survival while protecting Trump's legacy. Vance, aligned with the America First faction, can argue he opposed the Iran war from the outset, while Rubio could counter that Vance played a central role in failed diplomatic talks. The dynamic sets up a collision course between the two, who are friends and both considered leading contenders for the 2028 Republican nomination.
Other Voter Concerns Beyond Iran War
Exit polls indicate the Iran war was just one of many concerns among midterm voters. The cost of living, government corruption, artificial intelligence, and immigration enforcement also factored heavily into voters' decisions, suggesting the administration's challenges extend beyond a single policy failure.
