Homeland boss is new chief of staff
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump ousted his beleaguered chief of staff Reince Priebus on Friday, replacing him with Homeland Security Secretary and former general John Kelly after vicious White House infighting spilled into the open.
Only hours after a humiliating defeat on healthcare reform had underlined his tenuous control over his party in Congress, Trump announced a second shakeup of his inner cir- cle in barely a week.
Since entering the White House six months ago, Trump has parted company with his national security adviser, deputy national security adviser, FBI director, press secretary, communications director, acting attorney-general, deputy chief of staff and now chief of staff.
Priebus has been under fire for months, seeing one White House ally after another leave, culminating in the departure of press secretary Sean Spicer a week ago. “I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff,” Trump tweeted.
“He is a Great American... and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my administration.” As the tweet began to reverberate around here, Priebus exited Air Force One into the pouring rain and loaded into a black suburban with senior White House aides Steven Miller and Dan Scavino.
Moments later, Miller and Scavino got out and entered another van. Priebus’s vehicle then left the presidential motorcade. AFP