Controversies in Trump’s West Wing
jan 20, 2017 Donald Trump is inaugurated as 45th President of the United States
jan 27 Executive order imposing 90-day ban on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries fromentering U.S. and indefinite ban on refugees triggers multiple legal challenges. Federal court issues temporary stay – decision upheld by federal appeals court on February 9
Feb 4 Vincent Viola (right) declines Trump’s offer to be Secretary of the Army in new administration
Feb 10 Robin Townley forced out of National Security Council (NSC) after CIA rejects his request for high-level security clearance
Feb 11 While dining with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Trump’s private Florida retreat, news breaks of launch of North Korean ballistic missile. Club becomes impromptu situation room. Guest posts image to social media showing officer carrying president’s nuclear football*
Feb 13 Trump’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Michael Flynn (left) resigns following revelations that he discussed U.S. sanctions with Russia’s Ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, prior to Trump taking office. Kislyak is considered to be Kremlin’s top spy in America
Feb 15 Trump’s nominee to run Department of Labor, Andrew F. Puzder, withdraws after admitting he employed illegal immigrant as house cleaner
Feb 16 Trump’s NSA replacement, ex-navy Seal Vice Admiral Robert Harward (right), turns down offer citing family and financial considerations
Feb 17 Craig Deare, head of NSC’s Western Hemisphere division, fired after making critical remarks about Trump’s Mexico policy
Feb 26 Nominee for Navy secretary, Philip Bilden, withdraws citing complicated business interests
Mar 1 U.S. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi calls on Attorney General Jeff Sessions (right) to resign after revelations that he failed to disclose two meetings in 2016 with Russia’s Kislyak before Trump was inaugurated. In january, Sessions tells his confirmation hearing under oath “…I did not have communications with the Russians” *Briefcase holding codes to enable nuclear strike at moment’s notice