We’re now watching the President’s impromptu appearance with outgoing Ambassador Nikki Haley. The closest they’ve come to an answer is Haley saying she believes in rotating top officials with some regularity. She decided that four weeks before the election made sense. Meanwhile, CNN reports that both John Bolton and Mike Pompeo were taken by surprise by Haley’s announcement. Haley was effusive, going so far as to laud Jared Kushner as a “hidden genius.”
Haley lauds Jared as "hidden genius" pic.twitter.com/mAO976xj4w
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 9, 2018
President Trump repeatedly protested that there was no hidden story.
Trump: Obviously, people are going to think something is up. So we're here to say nothing is up. pic.twitter.com/v4BvlPEcaJ
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 9, 2018
There’s some story here. We just don’t know what it is yet.
Late Update: CNN is now reporting that even the President was caught off guard by Haley’s departure.
CNN: Trump reportedly caught off guard by Haley's resignation, despite claim she flagged it six months ago. pic.twitter.com/yXR5UbXkaX
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 9, 2018
