Trump adviser looks forward to John Kelly era as White House chief of staff
Jul 31, 2017, 9:44 AM | Updated: 11:34 am
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
Retired Gen. John Kelly’s second job for President Donald Trump officially began Monday and a White House adviser said the administration was thrilled.
“The good general has arrived, he’s going to put his system in place. The White House will function like a well-oiled Marine unit. It is great,” national security advisory staffer Sebastian Gorka said Monday on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.
Gorka attended the swearing-in at the Oval Office. Kelly spent the first six months of Trump’s administration as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Kelly was named Trump’s chief of staff Friday, replacing Reince Priebus, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Priebus said he resigned Thursday.
The move was the latest in White House staff shakeups. Press secretary Sean Spicer resigned July 21 hours after financier Anthony Scaramucci was named communications director.
Kelly was expected to bring order and stability to the White House.
But the move means a search will have to begin for his replacement. Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke will become acting secretary.
“(Kelly) will be sorely missed (at Homeland Security),” Gorka said.
“We will find somebody who is close to his quality to take over … but yes, it is fabulous to have him inside the building.”
Kelly’s successor will have big boots to fill, Gorka said.
“The bar has been set in the last 27 weeks. The incredible morale at DHS is something we have to build on. … Now people are being allowed to do their job. It’s a great thing for the next secretary at Homeland Security to inherit.”
Kelly is the second general to serve as a presidential chief of staff. Alexander Haig served in that capacity to Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Haig would later serve as secretary of state for Ronald Reagan.
