Trump Loses Third Cabinet Member-Who Could Go Next?

After Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, making her the third female department head to leave the Cabinet since January, attention has turned to which senior official could face the pressure next.

Her departure follows those of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation also came amid an investigation into text messages that showed her and her aides directing young staff members to bring wine to hotel rooms during official trips, according to a New York Times report. Her husband was also barred from department headquarters after women reported unwanted advances, the outlet reported.

Cabinet turnover can have positive or negative effects on the government, improving efficiency or disrupting projects and policy execution. With November’s midterm elections approaching, the American public may further scrutinize how the Cabinet implements the administration’s policies and messaging.

After an extended period of volatility within Trump’s second-term Cabinet, and as other Trump officials face increased scrutiny, speculation is building over which secretary or other high-ranking figure may find themselves in the hot seat next.

Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is one of the top contenders to leave Trump’s Cabinet next, according to the prediction market Polymarket as of Tuesday morning. He was also the second favorite after Chavez-DeRemer on the prediction market Kalshi prior to her resignation.

The defense secretary has faced calls for his impeachment over his directives regarding the Iran war, which the U.S. and Israel began on February 28. Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, an Iranian American, wrote on X on Monday that she would introduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth, whom she referred to as the “chief enabler” of an “illegal war.”

Polls have also increasingly indicated that disapproval for the Iran war outweighs approval among the American people, and Trump’s approval rating has slipped nationwide as the conflict continues.

Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence)

Though she is not a member of Trump’s Cabinet, Gabbard’s position has become more precarious following the resignation of Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and her top aide, who left the role last month in protest of the war in Iran.

While Gabbard has largely avoided direct public commentary on the war itself, she has defended Trump’s authority to strike Iran and stressed her role as a coordinator-not decider-of intelligence, saying the only person who determines what is and is not an imminent threat to the country is the president.

On Polymarket, she sits second as the next most likely candidate to leave Trump’s Cabinet. She was third behind Chavez-DeRemer and Hegseth on Kalshi before the labor secretary’s resignation.

John Ratcliffe (CIA Director)

Though also not a member of Trump’s Cabinet, as of Tuesday morning, CIA Director John Ratcliffe sat level with Gabbard on Polymarket as the next high-ranking official to leave the Trump administration.

Like Gabbard, he has come under intense scrutiny after Trump said he was not briefed on the possibility Iran might retaliate against Gulf nations-claims that have been disputed by former national security adviser John Bolton.

In a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing in March, Ratcliffe said he participated in dozens of briefings but acknowledged that no single meeting clearly presented a final decision point. His remarks raised concerns about intelligence clarity and coordination at the highest levels.

Sean Duffy (Transportation Secretary)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ranked third on Polymarket’s platform as the next candidate likely to leave Trump’s Cabinet as of Tuesday morning.

Duffy was a particularly visible Cabinet official during the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which disrupted Transportation Security Administration operations and triggered severe staffing shortages at major airports nationwide.

He has also faced questions over aviation safety following a string of high‑profile crashes near LaGuardia Airport and Washington, D.C., as well as worsening delays tied to air traffic controller shortages.

Duffy has also been met with criticism after TheAtlantic reported he allegedly transferred $1 million to a super PAC for his son-in-law, who is running for Congress.

Howard Lutnick (Commerce Secretary)

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was level with Duffy on Polymarket on Tuesday morning as the next official likely to leave Trump’s Cabinet.

Lutnick is scheduled to sit for an interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 6 as part of its investigation into the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The scrutiny follows newly released records showing Lutnick maintained contact with Epstein years after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution, including a 2012 visit to Epstein’s private island.

Todd Blanche (Acting Attorney General)

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer, can legally serve for up to 210 days under federal vacancy rules, but his long‑term prospects hinge on whether the White House seeks Senate confirmation or opts for another shake‑up at the Justice Department.

Blanche has said he is open to serving permanently but acknowledged that the decision rests entirely with the president.

Linda McMahon (Education Secretary)

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, sitting as one of the third-ranked candidates along with Duffy and Lutnick on Polymarket as the next likely official to leave the Cabinet, faces an unusual kind of existential risk: Trump has openly pledged to dismantle the Department of Education altogether, effectively eliminating her role.

McMahon has already overseen mass layoffs and the transfer of major programs to other agencies, leaving her position increasingly untenable if the shutdown plan accelerates.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 8:37 AM.