Donald Trump is expected to wield the axe in the wake of Tuesday's midterm elections, with figures close to the president predicting that cabinet members will be forced out.

The US president did not push back on suggestions he would reshuffle his administration when talking to reporters earlier this week, saying pointedly: “For the most part, I love my cabinet.”

Another shake-up would likely further consolidate power under Mr Trump, removing moderating forces who at times have urged caution over policy, much to the president’s frustration.

It would also once again push up the turnover figures for Mr Trump's White House, already one of the highest for a modern-day president.

More than 38 million Americans voted early in the elections – a huge rise on the 27 million who did so in the 2014 midterms.