Bannon Calls for Wiles's Removal After GOP Midterm Losses
Steve Bannon urged White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to be removed immediately, while a former Trump aide said she needs to resign.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Political Parties
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Steve Bannon called for White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to be removed immediately, attributing the demand to Republican losses in the midterm elections. Caroline Sunshine, a former staffer to President Trump, told Fox News on Wednesday that Wiles needs to resign.
Why it matters
The calls come after Democrats won battleground-state races across the country, flipping GOP-held seats in Texas, South Carolina, Iowa, Kansas, and Ohio. The push for Wiles's departure places pressure on the White House as Republicans assess the midterm results.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Texas, the first Democratic governor of the state since Ann Richards in 1994. Democrat James Talarico defeated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in the Senate race, the first Democratic senator from Texas since 1988.
The players
Steve Bannon
Steve Bannon is a former White House chief strategist and longtime conservative media figure who has frequently commented on Republican politics.
Susie Wiles
Susie Wiles is the White House chief of staff and a longtime Republican political strategist who ran Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.
Caroline Sunshine
Caroline Sunshine is a former White House staffer under President Trump who has since become a media commentator.
The details
Bannon made the call in an interview with British journalist Steven Edginton. Sunshine made her statement to Fox News on Wednesday, one day after the midterm elections.
Timeline
Tuesday: Midterm election day, when Democrats won battleground-state races
Wednesday: Caroline Sunshine told Fox News that Susie Wiles needs to resign
Political Context
Midterm losses for the president's party have historically prompted intra-party recriminations, as seen after the 2018 midterm elections when Democrats gained control of the House. The current calls for Wiles's removal follow that pattern of post-election blame directed at White House leadership.
Changes in White House leadership or staffing can affect how federal policy is executed and communicated to the public. Voters in the five states where seats flipped will see new representatives in office, shifting the balance of power in those legislative bodies.
The takeaway
Midterm results often trigger internal party reckoning, and the calls for Wiles's departure show how quickly blame can shift to White House staff. Readers should watch for official White House responses in the coming days.
Further reading
Follow the latest on Political Parties to see how Republican and Democratic leaders are responding to the midterm results.
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