White House chief of staff John Kelly says he is not quitting or getting fired by US President Donald Trump yet, amid reports that Trump is getting frustrated with the retired four-star general.
Kelly told reporters in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on Thursday he was not so frustrated in his job that he was considering leaving even as he acknowledged his new role “is the hardest job I’ve ever had.”
"I'm not quitting today," Kelly said. "I just talked to the president. I don't think I'm being fired today. And I'm not so frustrated in this job that I'm thinking of leaving."
He added that serving as Trump's top aide was the most important job he had ever had.
“Unless things change, I’m not quitting. I’m not getting fired. And I don’t think they’ll fire anyone tomorrow,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s predecessor, Reince Priebus, was removed from the post in July by Trump after a stormy six-month tenure.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Trump’s two communications directors and national security adviser Michael Flynn were all forced from their roles by the Republican president.
Last month, Trump also fired White House strategist Steve Bannon, who helped Trump win the 2016 presidential election.
It’s interesting that the all recently fired Trump administration officials were those who had been strong critics of the Iran nuclear agreement, despite the fact that Trump himself is expected to declare to Congress this week that retaining the 2015 nuclear deal is no longer in the US national interest.
Upon becoming chief of staff in late July, Kelly limited the number of visitors to the Oval Office and streamlined the flow of information to Trump.
Kelly’s actions have reportedly angered Trump and some of his senior White House officials.
And according to The Los Angeles Times, Kelley and Trump had even engaged in “shouting matches” over some of the constraints the retired four-star general has imposed.
However, Trump has repeatedly denounced media reports suggesting Kelly is on the verge of leaving.
"The Fake News is at it again, this time trying to hurt one of the finest people I know, General John Kelly, by saying he will soon be fired," Trump tweeted Tuesday.
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