White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s days may be numbered despite President Trump’s White House hurting for senior staffers.
John Kelly’s head still on the chopping block
For months now, it’s been rumored that Trump is mulling getting rid of John Kelly, whom he disagrees with on a whole host of important issues. But, back in July, it was tentatively confirmed that Kelly would remain in the White House for the foreseeable future. (RELATED: John Kelly to Remain in White House.)
However, Trump’s attitude may have changed after the office of Melania Trump got into a heated disagreement over a National Security Council staffer close to Kelly. Rumors about Kelly getting his walking papers resurfaced following the squabble. (RELATED: Rumor: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to be Fired After Clash with First Lady.)
Evidence of imminent Kelly departure
Now, Politico is reporting that Kelly may once again be on the chopping block. This time, there is evidence to suggest his departure may be near at hand:
Then there is White House chief of staff John Kelly. Rumors about Kelly’s once supposedly-imminent departure have abated of late. But uncertainty about his future has not. In the latest clue that Kelly’s days may be numbered, his deputy, Zachary Fuentes, has circulated his resume to other cabinet agencies, including the Department of Defense, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation.
Trump’s slow-motion staff “shakeup” stunts 2019 planninghttps://t.co/wjyntxfXJK
— POLITICO (@politico) December 6, 2018
Politico also reports that Trump is considering a total Cabinet shakeup: “The president once openly signaled a plan to revamp his Cabinet and staff after the midterm elections, calling it a ‘very customary’ act — and his aides acknowledged that big changes might be coming.”
It’s all-but-confirmed fact that Trump would like nothing more than to replace John Kelly. And it’s heavily rumored that Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, is the frontrunner for the job.
The Trump administration’s lack of staff
The only problem is the current dysfunction at the White House, which comes in the form of a lack of key staffers. Politico describes the situation thusly:
President Donald Trump is still looking for a new United Nations ambassador. He has no deputy national security adviser. His attorney general and EPA administrator are serving in an acting capacity, and his constant badmouthing of his chief of staff and Secretary of Homeland Security has undermined their authority.
There is, of course, the ongoing question of who will ultimately replace Jeff Sessions as the head of the Justice Department. There are ongoing constitutional legitimacy questions about Matthew Whitaker’s role as acting Attorney General. (RELATED: Maryland Challenges Whitaker’s Appointment As Acting Attorney General.)
And, of course, it’s nearly Christmas. Trump understands appearances more than most presidents. He probably won’t lay off anyone before the holidays.
No promises for the new year, however.
