Chaos is deepening inside the Trump administration just as a new, widely praised class of Congress members shows up on Capitol Hill, and it's bad news for Trump's inner circle.

Representative Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Hegseth, and there's open talk that the administration may push him out on its own before Congress even votes, with Stephen Miller stepping in as chief of staff. Trump publicly defended Hegseth and attacked Massie personally, while also brushing aside a brewing spy scandal tied to Nvidia's CEO, saying he simply believes his friend's denial.

The White House still has no press secretary — Trump jokingly offered the job to UFC's Dana White, who turned it down — leaving Trump doing his own unscripted media appearances, including repeating unproven election-fraud claims.

Underneath the political drama, the economy is showing more cracks: Pepsi is cutting about 1,000 jobs, and other large companies have been trimming staff too. Republican messaging around this is framing economic pain from the Iran conflict as a necessary sacrifice for a "higher good."

• New Congress members arriving are being called an unusually strong, down-to-earth freshman class.
• Push to impeach Hegseth is gaining steam, with speculation the administration ousts him first.
• Trump is dismissing spy concerns around Nvidia's CEO and doubling down on election-denial talk.
• No press secretary means Trump is freelancing his own messaging, risking more self-inflicted controversy.
• Layoffs at Pepsi and other major companies signal the economy is still under pressure.

Outlook: Expect continued infighting and possible cabinet departures as the new Congress settles in, with economic strain adding pressure on the administration's messaging.