John Kelly: The Trump Family’s ‘Influence’ In The WH ‘Has To Be Dealt With’

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Ex-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly dished briefly on some of his former colleagues during an interview with Bloomberg’s “David Rubenstein Show.” 

When asked about whether having members of President Trump’s family serving in the administration, Kelly paused.

“They’re an influence that has to be dealt with,” he said. “By no means do I mean Mrs. Trump — the first lady’s a wonderful person.”

It’s no secret that Kelly was not a fan of President Trump’s decision to give his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner prominent roles in the White House. During a clampdown on security clearances when he first took up the top White House post, Kelly stripped Kushner of his security clearance. He also reportedly took notes on the pair’s activities and requests and kept the memos in full view on his office desk.

In the Bloomberg interview, Kelly also described his former job as “very, very hard, but very meaningful — not enjoyable” before griping about how people’s “personal ambition” sometimes got in the way of his work.

Latest News
41
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Whatever respected legacy this man may have hoped for from Honorable Military Service has been completely erased by his tenure as Trump’s Chief of Staff.

    Let History render judgement on this man who failed the Test at the end of the race.

  2. Trump is the root of that problem. Deal with him first.

  3. “By no means do I mean Mrs. Trump — the first lady’s a wonderful person.”

    Love to hear more about that.

  4. When asked about whether having members of President Trump’s family serving in the administration, Kelly paused.

    “They’re an influence that has to be dealt with,” he said.

    Kushner has brought peace to the Middle East, has a plan for immigration and a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. He’s a policy animal unlike any other in history.

    /s

  5. Lie down with dogs. Get fleas.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

35 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for sysprog Avatar for bojimbo26 Avatar for cervantes Avatar for theod Avatar for steviedee111 Avatar for egyptsteve Avatar for 26degreesrising Avatar for lastroth Avatar for midnight_rambler Avatar for candirue Avatar for edbchicago Avatar for established_1781 Avatar for edgarant Avatar for Ken_a_roni Avatar for judygran Avatar for dannydorko Avatar for tindalos Avatar for rascal_crone Avatar for c_stedman Avatar for paul_lukasiak Avatar for ANNFFL Avatar for Bri2k

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: