"Breathless" was the word heard frequently Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C., describing the breaking news that, after 10 days as White House communications director, Anthony Scaramucci was out.
"There are appointments in the White House that don't last long, but not for the reasons like this," historian Stephen Hess, a onetime aide to Richard Nixon and three other presidents, told Newsmax.
Hess was referring to the reports White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway did not want to work with Wall Street "wunderkind" Scaramacci, whose coarse language in talking to reporters came under widespread fire last week.
Coming three days after White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was replaced and 10 days after press secretary Sean Spicer departed, Scaramucci's exit sparked immediate speculation over who would be the next major administration figure to depart.
In recent weeks, the president himself has fueled talk Attorney General Jeff Sessions might be on the way out. In addition, there has been discussion National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster is disappointed with the Trump White House and has considered resignation.
White House sources are not talking. But it would appear, with Scaramucci gone, the person in the strongest position at the White House is Chief of Staff John Kelly.
Hours after taking the oath of office from the president, the former Homeland Security secretary and retired U.S. Marine Corps general is already putting his own brand on the Trump White House. Kelly served in the Cabinet with Sessions and reportedly has a good relationship with fellow (U.S. Army) Gen. McMaster, so his rise to the top in the White House may give them both more time in their positions.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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