Vice President Mike Pence on Friday praised President Donald Trump's selection of John Kelly as his new White House chief of staff, saying that former homeland security secretary "will do a great job."
Pence posted on Twitter:
He also congratulated Reince Priebus, who told CNN that he tendered his resignation on Thursday:
Trump announced Kelly's appointment via Twitter shortly after praising him at a speech in New York in vowing to destroy the violent MS-13 street gang.
He officially starts on Monday.
"Reince is a good man," Trump told reporters after leaving Air Force One when he returned from the New York speech. "John Kelly will do a fantastic job.
"Gen. Kelly has done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. A great, great American.
"Reince Priebus, a good man," Trump said.
Rep. Pete King, who introduced the president at his speech at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood, said praised both Kelly and Priebus.
"I have a tremendous regard for Gen. Kelly," the Long Island Republican told Wolf Blitzer on CNN. "He's just a top-rate person.
"I had a very good relationship with Reince Priebus. I have nothing bad to say about Reince Priebus.
"This is the president's decision," he added.
"I wished him well, wished Reince well.
"I certainly think Secretary Kelly will do an outstanding job."