White House director of Oval Office operations Keith Schiller is said to be readying to vacate his post. According to Bloomberg, his decision to leave may have more than a little to do with chief of staff John Kelly.
White House director of Oval Office operations Keith Schiller is said to be readying to vacate his post.
According to Bloomberg, his decision to leave may have more than a little to do with chief of staff John Kelly.
The media outlet reports that Schiller, a long-time, loyal employee and friend of President Trump, “believes that Kelly doesn’t like Trump personally and is serving as chief of staff predominantly out of a sense of duty to country, according to three people familiar with his views.”
It further notes, “That has been deeply demoralizing for Schiller, who is accustomed to Trump being surrounded by devoted employees, two people said.”
Late last week, the New York Times reported on the challenges the Kelly-Trump relationship appears to be facing.
“Mr. Kelly has quickly brought some order to a disorganized and demoralized staff…and has treaded gingerly through the minefield of Mr. Trump’s psyche," the Times noted. "But the president has still bridled at what he perceives as being told what to do.”
The Washington Post offered a similar assessment of the tensions and reported that, “some of Trump’s friends fear that the short-tempered president is on an inevitable collision course with…Kelly.”
Not long after the Post published that article, Trump took to Twitter, praising Kelly in a series of tweets. “General John Kelly is doing a great job as Chief of Staff," the president said. "I could not be happier or more impressed - and this Administration continues to get things done at a record clip."
