WHITE HOUSE SHUFFLE: Trump Announces New Cabinet Picks as Reports Surface of John Kelly’s Imminent Departure

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 10: President-elect Donald Trump, his wife Melania Trump, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence walk to a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at the U.S. Capitol for a meeting November 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day president-elect Trump met with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Friday morning, President Donald J. Trump took to Twitter to announce two new high level members of his staff as rumors surfaced of Chief of Staff John Kelly’s departure.

“I am pleased to announce that Heather Nauert, Spokeswoman for the United States Department of State, will be nominated to serve as United Nations Ambassador. I want to congratulate Heather, and thank Ambassador Nikki Haley for her great service to our Country!” Trump said in one Tweet.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071076077903040513

He also announced his nomination for a new Attorney General.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating The Honorable William P. Barr for the position of Attorney General of the United States. As the former AG for George H.W. Bush……..and one of the most highly respected lawyers and legal minds in the Country, he will be a great addition to our team. I look forward to having him join our very successful Administration!” he said.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071076523719909376

It is unclear whether Nauert’s position as U.N. Ambassador will be a cabinet-level position.

Barr, who served as Attorney General to President George H.W. Bush and in the Central Intelligence agency has reportedly been critical of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s probe into alleged Russian “collusion.”

Meanwhile, rumors are swirling that Kelly’s departure is imminent, and could occur as early as Friday.

“Sources told DailyMail.com that Kelly, a decorated Marine Corps general brought in last year, is ‘expected’ to leave the White House before the end of the year, and the announcement could come as soon as Friday,” according to DailyMail. 

The report said that Vice President Michael R. Pence’s Chief of Staff, Nick Ayers, is set to take over for Kelly. Citing anonymous sources, CNN said that Trump’s relationship with Kelly has become unsalvageable.

“Their relationship has deteriorated so much in the last couple weeks, where John Kelly’s job security has essentially been seen as permanently in danger,” the report said.

There have been previous reports that Kelly’s departure from the White House was imminent, only to see him press forward. Politico reported a month ago that Kelly was on his way out the door, possibly on the same day as the report, and Ayers was on his way in.

 

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