CNN: Trump Eyeing Broader Staff Shakeup

on August 3, 2017 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 03: U.S. President Donald Trump departs the White House on his way to West Virginia on August 3, 2017 in Washington, DC. A grand jury has been impaneled by Speical Counsel Robert Mueller in t... WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 03: U.S. President Donald Trump departs the White House on his way to West Virginia on August 3, 2017 in Washington, DC. A grand jury has been impaneled by Speical Counsel Robert Mueller in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Donald Trump is considering ousting more of his administration’s top officials, CNN reported Wednesday.

Among those who are reportedly likely on their way out, according to CNN: National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Chief of Staff John Kelly and Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin.

People familiar with the matter who spoke with CNN said McMaster appears to be ready to move on, following months of reports that the Pentagon was looking for a job for him that would serve as a promotion upon leaving the White House. Kelly was reportedly orchestrating the removal of McMaster. Among those reportedly being considered to replace McMaster include John Bolton, who served as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. under the President George W. Bush administration as well as National Security Agency Director Admiral Mike Rogers and others, according to CNN.

Kelly’s departure is seen as less imminent that McMaster’s, CNN reported, but Trump’s outside advisers are reportedly putting out feelers for candidates to replace him, according to those who have been approached about the position. 

While Trump initially didn’t have an issue with President Barack Obama-era holdover Shulkin, he now wants him out, according to two sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to CNN. Shulkin has recently come under fire because one of his staffers altered an email that made it easier for his wife to travel to Europe with Shulkin on the taxpayers’ dime. Trump is reportedly looking to his Energy Secretary Rick Perry as a replacement, and Shulkin could be forced out within the next few days, according to The Washington Post.

Trump publicly signaled there may be more turnover soon, telling reporters Tuesday, “I’m really at a point where we’re getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want.”

Latest Livewire
85
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. This is just more Trumpian chaos-making. Eyes on the prize.

    ##Mueller

  2. The very best people. So much winning.

  3. I’ve heard that they’re sending press gangs out onto the streets of D.C. to round up new appointees.

  4. To hell with John Kelly, but heaven save us from John fucking Bolton and his zombie-Friedman mustache.

  5. Being a grotesque megalomaniac, Trump can’t get along with anyone. Resign, you sod!

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

79 more replies

Participants

Avatar for dr_coyote Avatar for daveminnj Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for jeffgee1 Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for gtomkins Avatar for thebigragu Avatar for chelsea530 Avatar for lastroth Avatar for sanni Avatar for lullu60 Avatar for thomasmatthew Avatar for benthere Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for maricaibo Avatar for misterneutron Avatar for spencersmom Avatar for somethinghappened Avatar for judygran Avatar for greysea Avatar for not_so_fluffy Avatar for centralasiaexpat Avatar for erik_t Avatar for demosthenes59

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: