Trump’s second-term White House is unfolding with far less public turmoil than his first, even as internal change remains a defining feature of his leadership style. A celebratory atmosphere filled the Oval Office during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the new U.S. ambassador to India, marking a symbolic moment for an administration that has leaned heavily into loyalty as its organizing principle. Gor, once responsible for staffing Trump’s second-term White House, was elevated in what many inside the administration view as a reward for steadfast allegiance rather than a traditional diplomatic résumé.

During the ceremony, Jeanine Pirro publicly praised Gor’s dedication and reaffirmed the sense of unity among Trump’s senior aides, underscoring how different this environment feels compared to the volatile first term. Unlike the high-profile clashes and public dismissals that defined 2017, the second term has so far avoided headline-grabbing personnel drama, even though turnover remains significantly higher than historical norms.

Lower Turnover Than 2017, Still Above Historical Averages

One year into Trump’s new term, high-level staff turnover stands at 29%, compared with 35% during the same period in 2017. Cabinet-level turnover, which once saw two departures in the first year of Trump’s presidency, has dropped to zero. While this reflects greater stability, the numbers still far exceed the roughly 10% average seen across the first years of the six presidents preceding Trump.

This comparative stability suggests a strategic recalibration rather than a wholesale transformation of management style. Departures during this term have leaned heavily toward promotions instead of forced resignations. That contrast is stark when measured against Trump’s first term, when figures such as Reince Priebus, Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer, and Anthony Scaramucci exited under intense public scrutiny, often with announcements delivered directly by presidential social media posts.

Unlike in 2017, the individuals leaving this time are largely behind-the-scenes officials whose names are not widely recognized. Their exits have drawn little public attention, further reinforcing the impression of a calmer internal climate even as staff reshuffling continues.

Loyalty as the Core Hiring Strategy

The most defining feature of Trump’s second-term personnel strategy has been an unwavering emphasis on loyalty. Former aides from the first administration have noted that Trump has abandoned the earlier practice of appointing high-profile outsiders recommended by political allies or party leadership. Instead, he has surrounded himself with aides who closely align with both his personal worldview and his policy agenda.

This shift has reduced internal factionalism and curtailed the rival power centers that once plagued the West Wing. The administration’s senior ranks now resemble a more cohesive unit, bound by ideological alignment and personal loyalty rather than institutional prestige.

This loyalty-first approach has also shaped Trump’s relationship with key government bodies and international partners. As the White House refines its internal operations, agencies such as the U.S. Department of State and the White House itself have seen parallel structural adjustments that aim to streamline decision-making and reduce internal friction.

National Security Council Shakeups and Strategic “Rightsizing”

Despite the calmer public image, the National Security Council (NSC) has experienced the most significant internal turnover. A notable departure was that of Mike Waltz, who left his role as national security adviser to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz had been at the center of a major early-term controversy after mistakenly adding a journalist to a private group chat discussing sensitive military plans regarding airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Rather than being dismissed, he was promoted to a role requiring Senate confirmation, reinforcing the administration’s preference for reassignment over removal.

Waltz was replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who assumed the national security adviser position on what was initially described as a temporary basis. More than eight months later, Rubio continues to hold both roles, consolidating significant influence over U.S. foreign policy and signaling a top-down approach to strategic decision-making.

The NSC’s staffing levels have also been sharply reduced as part of what officials describe as a deliberate “rightsizing” initiative. This restructuring aims to centralize foreign policy authority and limit internal dissent by narrowing the circle of senior advisers involved in critical decisions. The shift aligns with broader changes across agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Justice, both of which have experienced notable turnover among career officials, even though those changes fall outside the scope of formal White House staffing metrics.

These structural changes suggest that while Trump’s second-term White House is less chaotic on the surface, it remains deeply shaped by an assertive leadership style that prioritizes loyalty, centralized authority, and operational control. The administration has traded visible drama for quiet consolidation, producing an environment that is more stable than in 2017 yet still far from conventional by historical standards.

Through strategic promotions, a narrowed advisory circle, and a clear ideological litmus test for senior appointments, Trump has crafted a second-term executive team designed to minimize internal resistance. The result is a White House that projects unity while continuing to operate at a turnover rate well above the historical average, offering a revealing glimpse into how experience has reshaped—but not fundamentally transformed—Trump’s governing approach.