The move followed a series of recent shake-ups across the administration. Kristi Noem was removed as Homeland Security secretary after months of controversy and shifted into a lower-profile envoy role. Greg Bovino, a central figure in Trump’s immigration crackdown, was pushed out of his Customs and Border Protection post amid backlash over enforcement operations.
In his second term, Trump has often avoided outright firings, instead sidelining officials he views as potential liabilities by shifting them into less prominent or alternative roles. Noem’s move is one example.
Former national security adviser Mike Waltz offers another. Trump removed Waltz from the role last year following fallout from reports that he used an unsecure Signal group chat to coordinate a sensitive military operation in Yemen. But rather than pushing him out entirely, the president tapped him to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
With turnover accelerating, attention is now turning to several embattled officials facing growing scrutiny inside Trump’s orbit.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has emerged as a target amid rising tensions with the president.
In recent weeks, Trump has privately polled Cabinet members on whether to replace Gabbard, frustrated in part by her defense of a former deputy who undercut the administration’s justification for military action against Iran, according to the Guardian.
The friction escalated after a Capitol Hill threats hearing, where Gabbard declined to condemn Joe Kent following his resignation over comments that Iran posed no imminent threat. Allies say her reluctance to fully align with the administration’s posture deepened concerns.
Still, Trump has publicly downplayed the tension, saying aboard Air Force One that while they do not always see eye to eye, he believes Gabbard is fit to serve.
White House spokesman Steven Cheung defended Gabbard in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner.
“President Trump has total confidence in Director Gabbard, and any insinuation otherwise is totally fake news,” he said. “The President has assembled the most talented and impactful Cabinet ever, and they have collectively delivered historic victories on behalf of the American people.”
FBI Director Kash Patel has faced a steady stream of controversies in recent months.
He drew criticism over social media posts showing him drinking alongside members of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, as well as his use of an FBI aircraft to attend a concert by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins. He also faced backlash for directing agents to drive one of her reportedly intoxicated friends home.
Questions have also mounted over his handling of politically sensitive investigations, including the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s murder, with critics arguing his approach blurred the line between politics and law enforcement. He was further faulted for prematurely announcing an arrest tied to the December shootings at Brown University before the suspect was released.
Adding to the pressure, the FBI confirmed Thursday that Patel’s personal Gmail account was hacked, with some personal information accessed. The bureau said the material was “historical in nature” and did not involve government information, though the breach, claimed by an Iranian-linked group, has intensified scrutiny.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is facing an inspector general investigation that has already begun to ripple through her office.
A formal complaint alleges she pursued an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, but her attorney has denied these claims. The probe also includes questions about potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
Among the incidents under scrutiny is an event at Labor Department headquarters that was billed as a swearing-in celebration but functioned as a birthday party, according to The New York Times. Chavez-DeRemer later told lawmakers she did not have a birthday party, though a photo appears to contradict that claim.
The investigation has already led to the resignation of two top aides, who were given 24 hours to step down after being informed their positions were being terminated. Investigators are also looking into whether the aides engaged in potential travel fraud by arranging official events that doubled as justification for personal trips, according to reporting from NBC News.
Keep it going pic.twitter.com/xuODThOaqM
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 2, 2026
Democrats have seized on the wave of internal turmoil and openly encouraged further personnel changes, arguing the turmoil reflects broader dysfunction within the administration.
TRUMP OUSTS BONDI OVER EPSTEIN DEBACLE
In a recent social media post, the Democratic Party wrote “Keep it going” alongside a graphic highlighting recent departures, including Kristi Noem, Greg Bovino, and Pam Bondi, who were labeled as “fired.” The post also featured White House adviser Stephen Miller without the label, suggesting Democrats hope he could be next.
Kaelan Deese contributed to this report.
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