President Donald Trump's decision to appoint Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as White House chief of staff on Friday will be a "game changer" and will allow the White House to "become more orderly and disciplined," former Speaker Newt Gingrich. R-Ga., wrote in a Fox News op-ed.
"I predict the White House will become more orderly and disciplined — with clear lines of authority, serious planning and strong teamwork," Gingrich wrote Friday evening.
"The person who may benefit most from this change is President Trump. He has worked with many smart, successful people in his remarkable career, but he has never worked this closely with someone as used to command, organization and dignified insistence on teamwork as Secretary Kelly." Ginrich said.
Gingrich recalled first meeting the four-star Marine general when he was speaker of the House and said, "he was the best liaison officer I have worked with in any service.
"Even then, Kelly was smart, diplomatic, personable, a good listener — and knew how to get things done. I found him short on words and long on wisdom.
"If these two powerful leaders truly become a team, the Trump presidency will become one of the most effective in our history," Gingrich said.
As Kelly prepares to take over Reince Priebus' role on Monday, Gingrich took to Twitter praising his "nonstop" work ethic over the years as chief of staff, tweeting that Priebus "will go down in history as one of the most important RNC chairs in the 163 year history of the GOP."
According to Gingrich, Priebus "knows a lot" and "will go on to a great future." However, he adds, "America and Pres Trump are lucky" to have Kelly succeed him.
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