Top Trump aides quit White House
White House deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger has resigned, according to media reports, joining a number of officials who are leaving the administration of Donald Trump in the wake of violence on Capitol Hill.
Mr Pottinger resigned on Wednesday afternoon in response to the president’s reaction to a mob of protesters who breached the US Capitol, CNN reported, citing a person close to Mr Pottinger.
Bloomberg first reported the resignation of Mr Pottinger, a leading figure in the development of Mr Trump’s China policy.
The White House had no immediate comment when asked about the resignation.
Two top aides to first lady Melania Trump also resigned on Wednesday, while Mr Pottinger’s boss, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, was considering quitting, sources familiar with the matter said.
Stephanie Grisham resigned as chief of staff to the first lady.
“It has been an honour to serve the country in the White House. I am very proud to have been a part of Mrs. Trump’s mission to help children everywhere, and proud of the many accomplishments of this administration,” Ms Grisham said in a statement.
Ms Grisham, who spent a year as White House press secretary before becoming chief of staff to the first lady, did not say whether her resignation was in reaction to the violence in the nation’s capital, but a source familiar with her decision said it was the last straw for her.
The White House social secretary, Rickie Niceta, also resigned, as did a deputy White House press secretary, Sarah Matthews, two sources said.
There was also talk inside the White House that deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell might resign, a source said.