Trump sends Priebus packing, names DHS’ Kelly WH chief of staff
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Friday he was appointing Homeland Security head John Kelly to be White House chief of staff, ending the six-month tenure of Reince Priebus.
Trump tweeted the decision just as he landed in Washington after an event in New York in which he lavishly praised Kelly’s performance at Homeland Security.
P:riebus, the former Republican National Committee head, was the frequent target of rumors about his job security and the subject of a remarkable public rebuke this week by the new White House communications director.
Trump’s announcement on Twitter: “I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. 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.” He also saluted Priebus. “I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!”
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, Trump said: “Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job.”
Kelly is a retired Marine four-star general.
Questions about Priebus’s future have long swirled around the office. Those questions sharply escalated this week with the arrival of Anthony Scaramucci, the communications director who was hired over Priebus’ objections.
Priebus’ already tense relationship with Scaramucci took a turn over the past two days when the communications chief suggested in a late-night tweet that Priebus was one of the “leakers.”
Both Scaramucci and Priebus traveled to New York’s Long Island with Trump on Friday for an event where the president highlighted
efforts to crack down on the gang MS-13. Priebus took the return flight to Washington, his fate sealed in the tweets that were sent by the president just as he stepped off the plane. Priebus did not respond to reporters’ shouted questions.
From day one, Priebus’ power has been limited compared with past officials with his title. In an unusual arrangement, Trump said at the outset that Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon would serve as “equal partners” in implement- ing his agenda.
Priebus, who hails from Wisconsin and has close ties to House Speaker Paul Ryan, had grown increasingly isolated in the White House, as past Republican National Committee colleagues and other allies have left or been pushed out of the West Wing. Those who have departed include former deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh, outgoing press secretary Sean Spicer and press aide Michael Short.
Scaramucci was the latest top aide to be granted a direct line to Trump, and it became increasingly unclear who actually reported to Priebus.