White House chief of staff John Kelly will be leaving his post at the end of the year President Donald Trump reveals. It was Saturday afternoon that Trump confirmed the news before making his way to the Army-Navy game.
In recent months, Kelly's relationship with Trump has become strained with the two not being on speaking terms within the last few days.
Within the past seventeen months, John Kelly has been close to being fired or resigning several times, only to have his relationship with the President renewed. However, the wave of infighting that has plagued the Trump White House has finally brought an end to Kelly's term.
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Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers is considered to be a strong candidate for the role. However, citing his family back home in Georgia, Ayers has reportedly told the president that he would only suffice in a temporary position while Trump hopes to land someone for the remainder of his term.
According to White House officials, Kelly's influence waned over the last few months with the president undermining the authority that he had established in getting the White House in order. Additionally, Kelly's image deteriorated considerably with his handling of controversial subjects, including the situation with former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who was accused of abuse by two of his ex-wives.