Donald Trump Fires Chief Of Staff Via Twitter From Air Force One
UPDATED with more info: Just hours after Reince Priebus was attacked with profanity by Anthony Scaramucci in the press, President Donald Trump today pink-slipped his besieged Chief of Staff and replaced him with the current Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly.
On his way back from a speech in New York, the President sent out a trio of tweets from Air Force One:
I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017
…and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017
I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017
Both Priebus and his replacement Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general, were on the plane with Trump today. No word on who will take over at Homeland Security, but the White House said Kelly will take over officially on Monday.
In a leak-filled White House, reports are already out that Priebus actually resigned yesterday after White House Communications director Anthony Scaramucci let loose on him and senior advisor Steve Bannon to the New Yorker. In that interview, Scaramucci declared that Priebus would “resign” soon — and that hammer came down fast.
Earlier today, when Trump was speaking in New York City, the ex-Celebrity Apprentice host tipped his hand a bit in retrospect and praised Kelly as “one of our great stars.”
Priebus’ exit follows the departure of his close ally former Press Secretary Sean Spicer and several other aides, a number of whom the now former Chief of Staff brought into Trump’s circle.
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