Scaramucci out of White House job as John Kelly takes charge
WASHINGTON — Anthony Scaramucci is out as White House communications director after 11 days on the job — and just hours after former Gen. John Kelly took over as President Donald Trump’s new chief of staff.
Trump swore in the retired Marine general as his second chief of staff earlier Monday. Not long after, Scaramucci was gone.
In the words of the White House announcement, he was leaving because he “felt it was best to give Chief of Staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team.” The three-sentence release concluded, “We wish him all the best.”
The statement about Scaramucci’s departure used the same “clean slate” language that departing press secretary Sean Spicer used to describe his reason for resigning on July 21 — the day Trump brought Scaramucci aboard.
Spicer was at the White House on Monday, saying he was assisting with the communications transitions.
As the Scaramucci news spread, Kelly was in the East Room smiling and taking pictures with guests who were gathering for a Medal of Honor presentation.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump felt that Scaramucci’s recent profanity-laced comments against Priebus “were inappropriate for a person in that position.”
Sanders added that Kelly has “the full authority to operate within the White House and that all staff will report to him,” a change from Priebus’ tenure.
Earlier, in an Oval Office ceremony, Trump predicted Kelly, who previously served as Homeland Security chief, would do a “spectacular job.” The president also highlighted the rising stock market and positive jobs outlook.
Trump noted the successes of his administration despite the internal upheaval with this tweet: “Highest Stock Market EVER, best economic numbers in years, unemployment lowest in 17 years,
wages raising, border secure, S.C.: No WH chaos!”
Trump on Monday convened his first Cabinet meeting with Kelly at his side, telling his team it is “doing incredibly well” and “starting from a really good base.” On how he would deal with rising tensions with North Korea, Trump said only: “It will be handled.”
Seated across from Trump was Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has stayed on the job while Trump has publicly scolded him in interviews and on social media.
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was ousted from the campaign in June 2016, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he expected Kelly would “restore order to the staff” but also stressed that Trump was unlikely to change his style.
“I say you have to let Trump be Trump. That is what has made him successful over the last 30 years. That is what the American people voted for,” Lewandowski said. “And anybody who thinks they’re going to change Donald Trump doesn’t know Donald Trump.”