Speculation that Kushner could exit White House
WASHINGTON:US secretary of state Rex Tillerson’s expected exit from the Trump administration is one of many staff changes likely as President Donald Trump nears the end of his first year in office, with sources saying top economic adviser Gary Cohn and son-inlaw Jared Kushner could be among those who depart.
Cohn, whose relationship with Trump became tense earlier this year, has considered leaving once the Republican effort to overhaul the US tax system is completed in Congress, according to the sources with ties to the White House.
Kushner, who has seen his influence in the White House shrink, may receive a “face-saving” exit as he deals with legal challenges related to a special counsel’s investigation of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign’s potential ties to Russia, one of the sources said.
“This is pure speculation,” said White House spokesman Raj Shah in an emailed statement about potential staff moves.
More junior-level advisers could also use the completion of Trump’s first year and tax legislation as a pivot point to move on.
Things change quickly at the Trump White House. Advisers and Cabinet members who fall out of favour with the president can re-enter his good graces, making it hard to predict staff moves. But shifts in personnel are watched around the world for indications of how Trump will tackle issues ranging from North Korea to regulatory policy.
Cohn’s future in the White House has come into question since his public criticism of Trump’s response to the violence at a white supremacist rally in Virginia in August. Their oncetense relationship has since improved, however, and one source close to the White House said he could stay longer to help spearhead legislation to improve US infrastructure.
One of the sources said Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump, could go if a scenario, such as giving him an outside adviser role, were found that appealed to the president.
“Once someone comes up with a solution that sounds right, then I think he’s going to latch on,” the source said.