Many have wondered about the relationship between President Trump and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus following the firing of Priebus’ longtime friend and Deputy Chief Of Staff Katie Walsh, after rumors surfaced online that Walsh was leaking information about the White House.
āEveryone knows not to talk to her in the White House unless you want to see it in the press,ā Got News editor Charles Johnson quoted a āsource close to the presidentā as saying in February. āThe only question is whether or not sheās doing it at the behest of [White House Chief of Staff] Reince Priebus or if sheās doing it to advance herself in DC media circles.ā –Breitbart
An exclusive report from Axios claims that Trump may be looking to replace Priebus:President Donald Trump is considering a shake-up of his White House that could include the replacement of White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and the departure of his chief strategist Steve Bannon, according to a report in Axios.
Axios says a top aide to Trump says itās unclear if the president is āwilling to pull that trigger.ā But Axios writes possibilities for chief of staff include House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican; Wayne Berman of Blackstone Group; and National Economic Council head Gary Cohn.
A top aide to Trump said he’s contemplating major changes, but that the situation is very fluid and the timing uncertain: “Things are happening, but it’s very unclear the president’s willing to pull that trigger.”
Insiders tell me that the possibilities for chief of staff include:
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who developed a bond with Trump as one of the earlier congressional leaders to support him, and remains a confidant.
Wayne Berman of Blackstone Group, a Washington heavy-hitter who was an Assistant Secretary of Commerce under President George H.W. Bush, and a key adviser on eight presidential campaigns.
David Urban of the Washington advisory firm American Continental Group, and a former chief of staff to the late Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). Urban helped Trump win an upset victory in Pennsylvania, and was in constant cellphone contact with the candidate throughout the campaign.
Gary Cohn, Trump’s economic adviser and the former #2 at Goldman Sachs, who has built a formidable team and internal clout.
The West Wing “Game of Thrones” has been raging ever since Trump took office. But the war between the nationalists and the moderates, led by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, burst into the open this week after Bannon was taken off the National Security Council, setting off a torrent of leaks against him. –