Trump eyes shake-up of high-level officials
President said not happy with Nielsen, Kelly
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is weighing an administrationwide shake-up as he looks to prepare his White House for divided government, but it is unclear who is going and who is staying.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was thought to be out as soon as this week, according to two people with knowledge of the issue, but she is now likely to remain in the post for a longer period because there is no obvious successor in place. Kushner.
Ayers, a seasoned campaign operative, would restore a political mindset to the role, but he faces stiff opposition from some corners of the West Wing, with some aides lobbying Trump directly against move.
Other changes are afoot, as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are being discussed for replacement.
For all the talk of change, Trump often expresses frustration with aides and then does not take action. Talk of Kelly’s exit has percolated for months, and he remains in place.
Nielsen had hoped to complete one year in the job and leave in December, but it appeared unlikely she would last that long, said two sources. Both people who had knowledge of the debate spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Trump also told allies that he never fully trusted Nielsen, whom he associated with President George W. Bush, a longtime foe. And he told those close to him that he felt, at times, that her loyalty was more toward her longtime mentor — Kelly — than to the president.
Zinke, who faces several ethics investigations, said in interview Monday that he has spoken in recent days with Trump, Pence and Kelly about probes into his the leadership and that the three remain supportive. He denied any wrongdoing.
Ross addressed turnover rumors at a Yahoo! Finance summit Tuesday, saying he was in the post to give back to the country and support Trump.
“I worked very hard to get President Trump elected,” he said. “Now I’d like to work equally hard to have him succeed and be re-elected.”
Questions about Nielsen’s job security are not new. Earlier this year, she pushed back on a New York Times report that she drafted a resignation letter but did not submit it after Trump scolded her at a Cabinet meeting.
Target of first lady
Also Tuesday, in an extraordinary move, first lady Melania Trump called publicly for the deputy national security adviser to be dismissed.
After reports circulated Tuesday that the president had decided to remove Mira Ricardel from her post at the National Security Council, Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s spokeswoman, released a statement that said: “It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House.”
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the first lady’s staff and Ricardel had clashed during Melania Trump’s visit to Africa in October over such things as seating on the airplane and requests to use the council’s resources.