John Kelly is trying to filter what documents land on Trump's desk

John Kelly looks on as Trump speaks at Trump Tower.
(Image credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Chief of Staff John Kelly's latest attempt to correct course in the White House has him positioned as the gatekeeper of what information comes into President Trump's hands, Politico reports. Working with staff secretary Rob Porter, Kelly's method is "designed to ensure that the president won't see any external policy documents, internal policy memos, agency reports, and even news articles that haven't been vetted," Politico writes.

The process is "tried and true" and "not endemic to Republicans or Democrats," said George W. Bush's deputy assistant for domestic policy, Tevi Troy. The Obama administration likewise used the staff secretary's office as a filter of information to the president.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.