Trump replaces chief of staff Priebus
United States President Donald Trump has named General John Kelly, who currently heads the Department of Homeland Security, as his next chief of staff. The announcement, made on
Twitter on Friday afternoon, removes Reince Priebus from the role. The embattled former chief of staff had faced pressure since being named as a possible leaker by Mr Trump’s newly appointed director of communication.
Mr Priebus told CNN he resigned on Thursday after talking with Mr Trump.
“The president wanted to go in a different direction,” he told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, adding that he thought General Kelly was “a brilliant pick”. Anthony Scaramucci, who was appointed communications director one week ago, had accused Mr Priebus – a Republican Party stalwart – of leaking to the press.
He also phoned a reporter to unleash a profanity-filled rant against Mr Priebus, whom he called a “paranoid schizophrenic”.
In a series of tweets just before 17:00 (22:00 GMT) on Friday, the president praised the former Marine Corp general as a “great American” and a “great leader”. “John has done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my administration,” said the president.
He will start work on Monday, a White House spokesperson says.
General Kelly’s deputy, Elaine Duke, will become acting head of the Department of Homeland Security. BBC