Flashback: New Chief Of Staff Kelly Called US Politics A ‘Cesspool’ In 2016

President Donald Trump meets with new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly after he was sworn in during a ceremony in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, Monday, July 31, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump meets with new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly after he was privately sworn in during a ceremony in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, Monday, July 31, 2017, in Washington. (AP ... President Donald Trump meets with new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly after he was privately sworn in during a ceremony in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, Monday, July 31, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) MORE LESS
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Retired Gen. John Kelly, sworn in as White House chief of staff early Monday, was not so enthusiastic about getting involved in politics during the 2016 presidential race.

In an interview with Foreign Policy in July 2016, Kelly knocked senior military officials for getting involved with either campaign.

“It adds to this mistrust issue,” he said.

Kelly said he would be willing to serve in an administration headed by either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, but made his feelings clear about the “cesspool of domestic politics” and said whichever candidate won would be “in desperate need” of advice.

“To join in the political fray, I don’t think it convinces anyone,” Kelly said.

Kelly in January joined President Donald Trump’s administration to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump on Friday announced Kelly would serve as White House chief of staff, replacing Reince Priebus, who departed the White House after months of public humiliation and speculation on his fate.

“I predict that Gen. Kelly will go down, in terms of the position of chief of staff, one of the great ever,” Trump said on Monday. “We’re going to have a good time.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Kelly’s already one of the greatest ever in his position, before lunch on his first day.

    This is all perfectly normal.

  2. “I predict that Gen. Kelly will go down, in terms of the position of
    chief of staff, one of the great ever,” Trump said on Monday. “We’re
    going to have a good time.”

    Wow. This said from the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln!

  3. And just what does he think he’s swimming in in 2017, holy water?

  4. Flashback: New Chief Of Staff Kelly Called US Politics A ‘Cesspool’ In 2016

    Come on in, General. Water’s fine.

  5. A cesspool because one of our parties has lost its fucking mind

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