White House denies more Cabinet shuffling in works
WASHINGTON — Simmering tensions between President Donald Trump and his attorney general appear to be cooling down.
The White House said Monday that Trump has “100 percent” confidence in his Cabinet, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Trump has publicly belittled Sessions in recent weeks, calling him “weak” and “beleaguered” in retaliation for Sessions’ decision to step aside from the federal investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election and potential ties between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials.
Asked about reports that Trump was considering moving Sessions to the Department of Homeland Security, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders was clear.
“There are no conversations about any Cabinet members moving in any capacity,” she said, adding that Trump “has 100 percent confidence in all members of his Cabinet.”
Sessions was one of Trump’s earliest supporters, and the two bonded over their shared commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration.
Sessions told The Associated Press last week that it hadn’t “been my best week for my relationship with the president.”
“But I believe with great confidence that I understand what’s needed in the Department of Justice and what President Trump wants. I share his agenda,” he said.
Sessions traveled Monday to the White House to participate in the first full Cabinet meeting under Kelly’s tenure. It was one of several visits he has paid in recent weeks. who was pleased to see that Kelly has full control of White House hiring and firing. Scaramucci’s departure sends a signal that this White House is about to get less dysfunctional, he said.
After Kelly was sworn in, he and the president attended a meeting of the Trump Cabinet, at which Trump praised his new hire. “We respect him,” Trump said of Kelly. “Admire what’s he done. And at Homeland, what he has done is nothing short of miraculous. As you know, the border was a tremendous problem.”
Trump seems to see the Kelly hire as a chance to reset an administration that critics believe lacked focus. In the morning, Trump resisted that view when he tweeted about good economic indicators and denied there was White House chaos.
“Highest Stock Market EVER, best economic numbers in years, unemployment lowest in 17 years, wages raising, border secure, S.C.: No WH chaos,” Trump tweeted.
He returned to Twitter later Monday evening with the pronouncement: “A great day in the White House.”
Contact Debra J. Saunders at dsaunders@reviewjournal.com or at 202-662-7391. Follow @ Debrajsaunders on Twitter.