White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Pushes Trump Cabinet to Prioritize Midterms Over Foreign Travel

In February, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles pressed Cabinet officials to prioritize domestic travel and voter engagement ahead of the midterms, according to a Politico report published Wednesday. Her directive came amid growing backlash over former President Donald Trump’s unpopular tariffs and the nationwide impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

Wiles’ push followed reports of extensive international travel by Trump’s Cabinet members. For example, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins maintained an “aggressive international travel agenda” in 2025, visiting Vietnam, Japan, India, Peru, Brazil, and the U.K. Rollins’ team defended her travel, asserting that she successfully negotiated multiple trade deals abroad.

However, not all officials agreed with Rollins’ jet-setting priorities.

“It’s like, why is Brooke going to the U.K.?”

Did Wiles’ warnings resonate? Partially. The chief of staff now reportedly approves all Cabinet-level international travel. As one source explained to Politico:

“All trips are run through Cabinet Affairs. The international ones are on a case-by-case basis, but they definitely want you to focus on domestic travel.”

Despite Wiles’ efforts, Trump’s decision-makers have not pivoted to domestic issues. Just one week after her directive, Trump and his administration initiated a military conflict with Iran. The escalation led to surging gas prices, the deaths of service members, and vague justifications for the war—validating Wiles’ concerns. Public approval ratings for Trump and the GOP have since plummeted.

With Republicans facing steep odds in the upcoming elections, holding onto power in November would require a near-miraculous turnaround. Democrats have gained momentum through redistricting efforts, while the GOP has lost nearly every special election since the start of the year. Oddsmakers currently project a 50/50 chance for the Senate to flip to Democratic control, while the House appears increasingly likely to turn blue.

The biggest concern for Democrats remains the potential for a president who refuses to accept electoral defeat and may resort to extreme measures to retain power.