Trump reportedly considers moving Kelly out of the White House to lead the VA
Former Secretary of Homeland Security and current White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is reportedly under consideration for his third Cabinet post in less than two years. With White House physician Ronny Jackson's decision to withdraw from consideration to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Wall Street Journal reports that President Trump is considering Kelly as one of several candidates for the job.
"There have been discussions among the senior staff and the president directly about the possibility of Gen. Kelly going [to the VA]," an unnamed source "familiar with the matter" told the Journal. Other contenders reportedly include Anthony Tersigni, head of nonprofit health-care giant Ascension, and former Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), who chaired the House Veterans Affairs Committee and advised Trump about veterans issues on the campaign trail.
While Kelly's military background and strong organizational skills might make him a reasonable choice, the timing of this news seems suspect: On Monday, NBC News reported the chief of staff called Trump an "idiot" in private. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly called Trump a "moron" and, well, he is no longer part of the Trump administration.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Mexico’s vape ban has led to a cartel-controlled black marketUnder the Radar Cartels have expanded their power over the sale of illicit tobacco
-
Nepal’s fake mountain rescue fraudUnder The Radar Arrests made in alleged $20 million insurance racket
-
History-making moments of Super Bowl halftime shows pastin depth From Prince to Gloria Estefan, the shows have been filled with memorable events
-
Trump sues IRS for $10B over tax record leaksSpeed Read The president is claiming ‘reputational and financial harm’ from leaks of his tax information between 2018 and 2020
-
Trump, Senate Democrats reach DHS funding dealSpeed Read The deal will fund most of the government through September and the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks
-
Fed holds rates steady, bucking Trump pressureSpeed Read The Federal Reserve voted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged
-
Judge slams ICE violations amid growing backlashSpeed Read ‘ICE is not a law unto itself,’ said a federal judge after the agency violated at least 96 court orders
-
Rep. Ilhan Omar attacked with unknown liquidSpeed Read This ‘small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work’
-
Democrats pledge Noem impeachment if not firedSpeed Read Trump is publicly defending the Homeland Security secretary
-
The billionaires’ wealth tax: a catastrophe for California?Talking Point Peter Thiel and Larry Page preparing to change state residency
-
Hegseth moves to demote Sen. Kelly over videospeed read Retired Navy fighter pilot Mark Kelly appeared in a video reminding military service members that they can ‘refuse illegal orders’
