White House bracing for staffing 'bloodbath'

Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to remove three more senior members of his cabinet, just days after he fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, according to several sources within the White House.

National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster (pictured above), Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly all face the axe, according to Fox News.

Fox News says the departure of McMaster is “imminent”, and that the removal of the three men would amount to a “bloodbath” in the White House.

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Former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton has been tipped to replace McMaster, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry is believed to be the front-runner to replace Shulkin.

However, firing Shulkin could be difficult for Trump, despite weeks of tension between the pair following a damning report into misuse of taxpayer’s funds by Shulkin during a trip to Europe in July 2017.

Politico says Shulkin still has “the support of GOP lawmakers and veterans,” who have “circled the wagons to protect” him.

Kelly’s departure as Chief of Staff is seen as “less imminent”, CNN reports, with Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney named as his possible replacement.

News of the potential sackings comes as the FBI’s Office of Professional Responsibility recommended that former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe be fired for authorising the release of sensitive information to a reporter and then misleading investigators.

The Washington Post says the recommendation leaves Attorney General Jeff Sessions with the choice to fire McCabe before he is able to retire and receive his full pension. McCabe is due to formally retire on Sunday.