WASHINGTON – The infighting and rivalries that characterized President Donald Trump’s first term are reappearing as significant challenges in his second term, marked by intense disagreements over trade, national security, and matters of personal allegiance.
Recent tensions have emerged sharply in the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed several top aides and now faces criticism over allegedly sharing sensitive information about airstrikes in Yemen through non-secure channels. A recently removed Pentagon spokesperson penned an article urging Trump to dismiss Hegseth, citing a “full-blown meltdown” under his watch.
In a recent appearance on Fox News, Hegseth, a former weekend host, admonished former aides for leaks that he claims are used to sabotage the administration’s goals.
“The individuals who have been distanced from the administration are now trying to undermine the president’s objectives,” Hegseth declared.
Although internal discord hasn’t yet dominated Trump’s second stint in office, its recurrence highlights the unrest that was never fully addressed but merely subdued. This turbulence reveals an overall management style that thrives on unpredictability and thrives in an environment where divergent views are tolerated.
Further fueling the drama, a visit from Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist known for questioning the loyalty among Trump’s staff, rocked the national security team recently. Her influence has grown, particularly after Trump fired some officials, thus boosting her standing to scrutinize other administration members.
During an interview with journalist Tara Palmeri, Loomer jabbed at the notion of a harmonious White House, stating, “There’s discord among the advisers and agency heads.”
Much of the discourse within Trump’s team revolves around tariffs intended to reshape global economic balance, often resulting in mixed messages and occasional disparagements. Notably, adviser Elon Musk, whose enterprises stand to bear increased costs, criticized Peter Navarro, Trump’s top counsel on trade, as “dumber than a sack of bricks.”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt rejected claims of widening fractures within Trump’s ranks, characterizing the team’s collective efforts as notably cooperative and highlighting the administration’s successful outcomes.
“The president and his team are effectively achieving their objectives,” she asserted.
Throughout his political career, Trump has approached chaos with a particular leniency, valuing unconventional perspectives and chaos as negotiation tools. Having fostered a competitive atmosphere, he appointed staff often based on their loyalty and assertiveness.
Still, these internal tensions risk further upheaval as Trump pushes forward with policy overhauls in federal governance, international trade, foreign affairs, and more. This turmoil underlines the inexperience and ideological vacuity among some officials within his administration, as former national security adviser John Bolton pointed out. He cited a lack of a consistent philosophy and a penchant for showing fealty to Trump as primary causes for the discord.
“This allegiance to Trump ensured their roles but reflects their lack of seriousness,” Bolton commented.
Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, now grapples with managing this dissonance. Despite her success in imposing order without attempting to curtail Trump himself, she faces new challenges. Her role involves reconciling internal divides within the administration she’s helped organize.
During Trump’s first term, frustrations grew across different levels of his administration. Notably, John Kelly, a former chief of staff who later criticized Trump, branded him a fascist during the 2024 elections.
Currently, Trump remains steadfast, surrounded by aides who mirror his inclinations. Critics argue his reluctance to instigate staff changes fuels ongoing issues, seeming more about frustrating adversaries than resolving internal problems.
On a separate issue, Trump minimized reports involving Hegseth’s participation in unauthorized chats concerning Yemen airstrikes. He countered the narrative, labeling it as “fake news” and expressing confidence in Hegseth’s performance.
Leavitt defended Hegseth on air, asserting the Pentagon’s institutional resistance against proposed changes and dismissing the criticism as coming from adversaries.
However, tensions pervade Hegseth’s inner circle as well, with former official John Ullyot predicting the Defense Secretary’s potential ousting, suggesting the president deserves a more cohesive team.
The chaos extends within the Pentagon, with three senior officials ousted recently responding to the departure with grievances over perceived character attacks.
Amidst the ongoing discord, Trump’s ambitious tariff plans continue to sow division amongst his advisers. Disagreements on trade policy have led to public disputes between prominent figures like Navarro and Musk, who each argue for differing trade strategies.
The quarrel escalated publicly, with Navarro criticizing Musk’s opposition as self-serving, labeling Tesla a mere “car assembler” reliant on foreign parts, to which Musk retorted, dismissing Navarro as “truly a moron.”
Leavitt commented on the dispute, opting for levity, remarking, “boys will be boys,” underscoring the transparency of the administration.
Trump’s allegiance to loyalty over truth remains evident as he maintains long-standing relationships, including that with Loomer, who has been a controversial figure endorsing baseless theories. Her escalating involvement in personnel decisions came to a head after she presented Trump with her findings on disloyal officials.
After Trump dismissed several individuals following her input, Loomer continues to monitor personnel within the administration, recently taking aim at Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who she accuses of fraternizing with Trump critics.
Backing her allegations, Musk expressed concern, signaling potential challenges brewing among Trump’s closest advisors.