Trump’s new White House Staff

A recap of the recent changes made to the Trump Administration

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Joyce N. Boghosian

(Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian).

Over the summer there has been much turnover, reassignment, firings, and hirings surrounding President Trump and his team.

CNN reports that when President Trump was elected into office in January his Chief of Staff choice was Reince Priebus, former head of the Republican National Committee. The Head Advisor that he chose was Steve Bannon his campaign manager. Trump said after they were nominated, Bannon and Priebus will continue the effective leadership team they formed during the campaign, working as equal partners to transform the federal government, making it much more efficient, effective and productive.” Priebus had a good relationship will the Republicans in Congress and could help push through Trump’s agenda.

At the start of the summer the investigation into Russian involvement with the US election heated up, along with mayhem surrounding leaks in the White House. Priebus found himself among accusations and turmoil, along with the failure to repeal ObamaCare. He served slightly more than six months in the White House before resigning on July 27th. That next day the President tweeted about Priebus’s resignation as well as his replacement, John Kelly. Kelly is former Marine General, and former Secretary of Homeland Security who was appointed to replace Priebus. Trump tweets, 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….and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration.” Trumps adds, “ 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!”  

 Trump appointed Sean Spicer, former Communications Director of the Republican National Committee, as White House Press Secretary in January. The New York Times reports on July 21st Anthony Scaramucci, a New York Financier and friend of the President, was appointed as the White House Communications Director. Spicer was offered to stay on as Press Secretary but to report to Scaramucci. Spicer rejected this offer saying “Mr. Scaramucci’s hiring would add to the confusion and uncertainty already engulfing the White House.” At this point Spicer took a step back and his Deputy Sarah Huckabee Sanders would replace him as acting Press Secretary.

CNN reports that a few days after Scaramucci was appointed he had an interview with a reporter from the New Yorker. In a part of the interview Scaramucci used obscene language, was vulgar, and rude when talking about other members of President Trump’s team. He failed to make clear to the reporter he meant for that portion of the interview to be off the record. Ten days after being appointed, acting Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave a press conference explaining that Scaramucci was asked to step down and that the White House Director of Strategic Communications, Hope Hicks, would be the acting Director of Communications. Sanders says “Mr. Scaramucci felt it was best to give chief of staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team.”

Although there was a lot of change that happened very quickly, only speculation can be made on whether or not we can expect the President to keep his team. The political game of musical chairs in Washington might not be over.