Day 401: Report: Top Aides Kelly, McMaster May Be Out Soon
Donald Trump loves to cite “the generals” — John Kelly, H.R. McMaster and James Mattis — when bragging about his inner circle. That trio may shrink by two, according to a report by Reuters, as Chief of Staff John Kelly and National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster could soon be on their way out.
Longstanding friction between U.S. President Donald Trump and two top aides, the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Staff, has grown to a point that either or both might quit soon, four senior administration officials said.
Kelly and McMaster have chafed at Trump’s treatment of them in public and in private, which both at times have considered insulting, said all four officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Trump has a poor relationship with many members of his Cabinet, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson — who continues to refuse to comment on reports that he called Trump a “moron” — and Attorney General Jeff Sessions — who has already tendered his resignation at least once amidst constant public criticism by Trump.
McMaster, who replaced Michael Flynn in February 2017, has drawn Trump’s ire for his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to meetings and briefings. Trump constantly pokes fun at him, including in front of other members of the senior staff. Most recently, Trump took to Twitter to supplement a McMaster statement about Russia interference in the 2016 election.
Kelly, meanwhile, has seen his profile grow since accepting the Chief of Staff job, but has also made numerous missteps. He falsely called the Civil War the result of a failure to compromise, defended a top staffer who beat two ex-wives by calling him “a man of true integrity and honor,” called Dreamers “too lazy to get off their asses,” and slandered Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL).
If Kelly and McMaster both leave, it would rob Trump of one of his favorite talking points and point to further dysfunction in and around the White House. It would also remove two of the most experienced minds around Trump, giving neophytes even more say in major decisions.
401 days in, 1061 to go
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