Well, I guess Mad-Dog is now all that stands between sanity and pure hell.
5
I lost all respect for Kelly when he allowed the tragic death of his son to be used as an example of his painful loss, in an effort to minimize the pain of another. He leaves the administration with a tarnished reputation--as have many others. No one in Trump's sphere can come away unscathed.
6
Trumpet can't have someone with an IQ to the tenth power, greater than his in the same building...
2
You see the real "quality" of the American military in the corrupt and disreputable wretches like Kelly and Mattis who abandon any pretence of honour or decency by signing up to enable a criminal and traitor like Trump. If I had ever served in the American military I would be ashamed of the uniform now that Trump has exposed the readiness of so many soldiers to prostitute themselves in the service of political pimp.
3
I dislike Kelly enormously for his dishonorable behavior in the recent past. But I am sad to see a man, who has served his country faithfully, to end so disgracefully.
This is teachable moment really, if you lie with dogs, you get up with fleas.....
3
Why does the genius in the White House need a 4 Star General around to advise him. After all; he knows more than the generals doesn`t. he? At least that is what is what he claimed! The fact of the matter is these bothersome gentlemen keep reminding him of what he can; and even more what he CAN`T. do; which is really annoying to a genius who knows Everything. It also means that by getting rid of these generals he will not be bothered to read intelligence briefings and other documents every other President was required to read to have a clue how to do the job. But hey; Trump always knows best anyway, Right?!
3
The GOP is circling the drain thanks to Donald J. Trump Sr. His behavior has been no less than criminal. His "partners", or administrative appointments, are criminals.
Jr. will go to jail if there's justice in this universe.
The rats flee the ship.
7
Comrade donald j trump will ask his master Vladimir V. Putin to be his next chief of staff.
It is not a good idea to appoint a military officer, even if retired, to an inheritently political job such as WH chief of staff. General Kelly found himself carrying out and defending Trump's behaviour and was unable to establish procedures such as security clearances, chain of command, control of information flow to and from the president, and so on. A military officer cannot make the excuse that it wasn't his or her fault, that the principal was incompetent, or that he wanted to stay in his constricted lane of responsibility. By sins of omission and commission, General Kelly became complicit in the Trump family activity.
5
It's strange to read this article and try to keep in mind that Trump, as president of the U.S., is supposed to have a job that involves activities apart from simply enriching himself and getting re-elected. To say, quoting the article, "Some former administration officials said they feared that Mr. Ayers would feed Mr. Trump’s predisposition to focus more on politics, imperiling any chance of advancing bipartisan legislation," is to suggest Trump cares about legislation. Apart from destroying everything Obama accomplished -- again, for Trump's personal gratification -- and enriching himself and his friends, he doesn't care about legislation. It's just shocking to realize the job of president has been unfilled for two entire years.
9
All I want for Christmas is a Donald Trump resignation; if it takes a Ford-Nixon type presidential pardon to do the trick, then so be it. Get him out of there--now!
Then years from now--I won't be around--historians can write that our democracy survived even a Donald J. Trump presidency.
That would prove to be the best Christmas for everybody.
4
With all these generals as Trump casualties perhaps we can start calling the White House a General Hospital. Really bad pun, a kin to whistling past the grave yard, but perhaps someone might at least grown in horror.
General Kelly has disgraced himself and the uniform he once wore.
My bet is that he knows it which is why he's leaving.
3
Don’t cry for me Argentina...
He’ll pop up on Faux Fake Fox ( not really) News
Pushing 45’s “ agenda” of the moment
Propaganda
1
Who is running your country? Jared,Bolton ,Miller or (?).One thing is sure it is not Trump....
13
Bye, Felicia. You chose to serve the most corrupt President in American history and utterly failed to stop him. You will be remembered as a spineless sycophant, and forgotten quickly.
12
Who in the World with any kind of mental capacity would want to work in the White House under a trump presidency? The incompetence, malice, stupidity, indifferent educations, are astounding. The Generals are the only people that have kept the country somewhat on line...Now what?
10
Unless you are a die hard fascist, racist, fabulist, science denier, fact denier, religious fanatic it's hard to see why you would want to serve president Trump and his family. You certainly are NOT serving the American people by being in this administration. On the up side you by serving Donald Trump and his family you may receive the prestigious "Hero of the Soviet Union".
10
In this story, you quote one (1) person other then trump
Corey Lewandowski
This is the reliable authoritative person the NY Times decides to use for a quote ?
really ?
or is this a sly inside the beltway joke, that Trumps team is so bad that CW is a reliable source ?
and you don't mention the whole ripping babies from their parents, or the I'm ok with an aide who is a wife beater
and you wonder why we are reluctant to give you a subscription
3
The REAL question is......does Hannity's contract with FOX expire on Dec 31, 2018?
6
Hannity’s credibility expired ages ago
3
Finally, a bad week for America’s racists:
1. Guilty verdict in Charlottesville;
2. Kelly gets the boot; and,
3. Mueller’s court filings further unhinge the tweeter in chief.
8
Good riddance. He aided and abetted a Russian asset, tax fraud, and sexual predator.
4
"In the residence on Friday night, the president and Mr. Kelly agreed that the departing chief would break his own news on Monday, announcing his exit to senior White House staff members. But Mr. Trump ultimately broke the news himself on Saturday afternoon."
So predictable! The consistency with which Trump undermines and betrays former associates is nothing short of unparalleled. It's beyond me why anyone would agree to work in his administration regardless of political affiliation.
13
Met two more hardcore Trump supporters this week and I’m still amazed at their staunch, blind belief. Our choices were slim but Trump? The next 12 months promise to be entertaining.
My big question, how does a president fund legal defenses from multiple fronts? I desperately hope we tax payers are not paying for both prosecutors and defenders.
7
@James
the answer to who funds legal defenses is simple.
SuperPACs.
America needs Congress to create a new campaign finance law sine SCOTUS tossed out McCain-Feingold with a heinous Citizen United ruling.
2
Trump has clearly surrounded himself with military figures to make up for his spurious military deferments. He uses these individuals and of course they allow themselves to be used, often out of a sense of duty to country.
By now it should be clear that working for this WH is like being on a train careening down a hill without a braking system. The crash is inevitable and Congress can’t find its oversight role and stop this fast moving debacle.
5
Doesn’t matter who his chief of staff is - he’s going to jail no matter what.
5
LOCK HIM UP
And Kelly too!
3
The departure of Kelly, resignation or repudiation, offers an intimate insight into the toxic ideology that permeates this present White House which will probably have to be fumigated when Trump is finally evicted. The idea of the Noble Warrior is a false narrative in cultures that elevate military men to deified status, America being one of them. From personal experience, the military attracts all types, and, in the case of Kelly, it attracted a man with a propensity for far right doctrine given the ideal platform. Trump’s presidency offered exactly that.
However, because the far right principle of thought is so deviant, appealing only to deviance, it crashes continually because there is no uniformity or comity between its exponents. It is a self absorbed and vile expression of the worst of humanity’s vices, so it is highly unsurprising that it is self defeating almost as if nature fitted it with a safety valve to vent when dangerously pressured.
Kelly served Trump as CoS because he saw an opportunity to steer his own prejudices by driving Trump to do his bidding by proxy. I’m glad Kelly has left in ignominy, he deserves no less. He has been hoisted by his own petard as this person-type often are.
7
Former General John Kelly trashed his own reputation when he proved himself a White Supremacist and lacking in respect for women. He immediately demonstrated this in his attack on the innocent Florida Congresswoman.
He did bring considerable organizational skills to an out of control White House. Unfortunately, this simply enabled Donald J. Trump to do more damage to the United States and our goals for the future.
He should be shamed. Writing a book defending Robert E. Lee is a lost cause. The South is awash in creative retellings of the Southern Hero and the Civil War. He will join the other liars. Perhaps he was not so out of place in his position - covering for an incorrigible and prolific liar.
Kelly look miserable the whole time. I'm glad of it. All persons who have supported Trump, knowing what a criminal he is, deserve to be miserable if they were accessories to the crimes, as John Kelly appeared to be.
7
Good riddance. Kelly was basically Trump with a a military service record.
5
I'm presented with "historic" perspective of "Every president at natural inflection points makes significant changes in their administration" - from Corey Lewandowski!
He was Trump's campaign manager and said "Let Trump be Trump".
Also, today, from mind of Lewandowski:
"The president relied on information and people he didn’t know to staff the administration. Now, he’s gone back to people he knows. They’re on his team, and that’s what is needed."
1. As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump said "the best people in the world" would serve in his administration.
(Annoying ad, followed by golden "Promises Made")
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/candidate-trump-promised-best-people-cabinet-50183308
2. The best people wouldn't work for the dunce. Those who did - want OUT of Dodge City.
3. Eighty-eight retired generals/admirals signed an endorsement of Candidate Trump because they held Hillary Clinton responsible for the hollowing out of the military. Those 88 "patriots" said ZIP about Trump's ability to lead!
4. Only a craven sycophant would say that the "need" is new staff SO TRUMP IS REASSURED "They’re on his team".
3
It’s sickening to think that this country is run by those who care more about their own party’s face and saving it than they do it’s citizens. It makes one wonder what good are countries if that’s all they’re good for.
1
I think trump thinks he is still running his reality show "The Apprentice". Certainly he derives much pleasure in telling people "you're fired", but most of them he doesn't even have the guts to tell them this to their face.
John Kelly has managed to fall as low as his president. I'm shedding no tears at his departure. He was supposed to rein in trump and bring order to the White House. He has failed abysmally.
5
The operative phrase in the title of this article and the characteristic of the Trump presidency is "Shakes Up". The citizenry have gotten what so many of them said they wanted in closing Trump---"Someone to get in there and shake things up!!" That motivation for choosing a candidate was insane----would one in right mind choose a doctor or any other professional for that reason? What we need is a knowledgeable, steady, caring, honest, patriotic, experienced, respectful and respectable leader in the White House. Trump has none of those qualities and, therefore, can't attract and keep those who have them.
And, sadly, General Kelly has been diminished personally and professionally like almost everyone else who has aligned herself or himself with Trump,
4
Of course.
With a hostile House of Representatives itching to unleash a storm of subpoenas, and the Mueller investigation heating up, Trump gets rid of the last competent person on his staff.
It's almost worth Trump getting elected, just so we can see what is going to happen in 2019.
5
The most horrifying thought to any worthy citizen these days, civilian or soldier, must be a request to serve as a cabinet member of on Trump's personal staff. I am so glad to have a low profile.
5
Whats amazing about all this is that there is someone always ready to take on the position that has been vacated by humiliation, incompetence, criminality or just plain disappointment. It just goes to show how the mere thought of obtaining power can corrupt absolutely. Trump, the gift that keeps giving.
14
Another decorated General whose reputation has been tarnished by the toxic proximity to Trump. Can't feel sorry for him though, he cooked his own goose . Perhaps those Generals who want to protect their lifelong reputations will learn to stay clear of the "Wrecker in Chief "
5
Trump chose Kelly for this position because he (1) was a general & (2) he passed Trump's "central casting" audition. He was never going to be able to be a successful Chief of Staff. One need look no further than Heather Nauert, former Fox News reporter to replace Nikki Haley as UN ambassador (another central casting pick with zero experience) to know that Trump either has no idea what he's doing as president or doesn't care and sees our government as just another company he can do with at his will, not by careful consideration but by "gut instinct" (his words). It's amazing that we continue to act like he really is capable of being president. He hasn't been capable since day one.
35
Outside of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military men don't have any business in the White House. Politics and the military have never swum well together. There's got be be the thinkers and the doers and never the twain shall meet.
7
The WH cabal, headed by dysfunctional leadership and populated with egotistical sycophants, is a very poor reflection on the United States and its people. The reality show just never seems to end.
6
We had hoped that Kelly would bring some respect to the Trump presidency- at least with Kelly, we did not see a round table fawning publicly and pathetically, avowing how lucky they were to work for this very unpresidential president.
But we wrong.
It can only go downhill from here.
The 'shrinking list of lose advisors' has always only had 1 'close' advisor, the Twitterer in Chief
1
It's really wonderful to be a spectator at the barrel bottom arenas. Moguls of white racism, misogyny, chauvinism and every other anti social philosophy, fighting to keep each other in the barrel. They can eat one another and hasten their arrival at membership in what they have deemed minority status. Remember that Rome (and Brittania) ruled the World?
8
“Anti-social philosophy” really sums it up perfectly. Thank you for the phrase.
4
I worry: Will we soon see a return to The Crazy of last year?
Kelly was troubling but that chaos was the dream of IRC...
1
Psychopaths are very paranoid and compelled to collect power. They get the advantage of keeping people thrown and walking on egg shells. And that's about it. Neural network doesn't allow for bigger picture thinking.
5
What we, lay persons understood from insiders of the White House ( anonymous! ), John Kelly Was disgusted by this President. If true, he should have resigned way earlier. But he did not. If untrue, he should still have resigned because his personal integrity and loyalty to our country had been seriously questioned and sullied. But he did not. Instead now he is fired in a tweet! What a sad ending to a glorious career!
3
Perhaps Mr. Kelly sees the writing on the wall now that voters have spoken decisively and Mr. Mueller is closing in. But instead of going down with the ship he is bailing to save his own self. We have to ask what on earth was he thinking when he signed on in the first place? Apparently, one of the first requirements for the rank of General is that one must be brain dead.
2
Kelly's complicity with Trump, has stained his reputation beyond repair...very sad!
8
The best summation of Kelly's White House tenure came from (who else?) SNL:" John Kelly spent 40 years in the Marines. He did three tours in Iraq. And he couldn’t finish one tour with Donald Trump."
9
THE quote that chump has used more than once - evidently it's something that can stick in his strange brain - and completely describes chump's firm, whether inside or outside the White House, is, "Everybody leaves." Would that it were true in regards to his very self, and very soon come to pass!
5
I thought he would be different..
4
With all due respect, why did you think he could be different? The man in the Oval Office didn’t change.
2
Changing the guard of the Oval Office will not improve the situation. Donald Trump clearly runs his own show and can not be reasoned with unless profit is promised.
Mr. Kelly leaves with many questioning how he got his reputation as a wonderful patriot and career military serviceman. His tenure at the White House revealed him to be a cruel racist and bigot.
Good riddance.
Since Trump is perhaps the laziest POTUS ever, any Chief of Staff who expects to bring order and productivity to the Oval Office will be quickly found wanting. Trump would much rather watch TV than read briefing papers.
33
With or without Kelly, this whole WH was and will remain an embarrassment and a stain on democracy
30
I recommend Steve Doocy as Kelly's replacement.
1
Background assumptions:
- Pence took the job as Trump’s running mate because it was his only viable path to the Presidency
- Pence figured that if somehow Trump gets elected he’s crazy and has too much legal baggage to last very long. Trump will get impeached and Pence will become President
Getting to now
- Much to Pence (and all of our) surprise Trump doesn’t get tossed
- Pence gets impatient and has to push along the process
- Pence sees an opening with the relationship between John Kelly and Trump souring
- He starts helping Trump get to know and feel comfortable with Pence’s own Chief of Staff Nick Ayers (a professional lobbyist) (NOTE: It is well documented that Pence has been lobbying for Ayers to get friendly with Trump by expanding the VP/Pres one-on-one dinners to include Ayers)
Now
- John Kelly is fired and chances are good Nick Ayers gets the job given all the grooming Pence has been doing.
- As the President’s Chief of Staff Nick Ayers has full access to the Cabinet and a direct view into Trump’s ability to function as President
- Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment states that if a majority of the Cabinet and the Vice President agree that the President is not fit to serve they can inform the House and Senate and the VP becomes acting President.
- So Nick is being placed to make the case and wrangle the cabinet to invoke Section 4 and place Pence in as Acting President.
So the biggest threat to President Trump right now is Pence insider Nick Ayers
17
@Charlie Hebdo
Wow, Niccolo would have been proud.
5
Any invocation of Section 4 has to be upheld by a super-majority of Congress. Would never happen.
Another reputation ruined
5
Mr. Ayers - Another applicant for the Apprentice! Really folks, it's the same playbook over and over again.
16
This might have been mentioned. Could it be that Nick Ayers' "job" would be to pave the way for his Boss (Mike Pence) to the presidency after "The Donalds" impending departure?
13
Let's see how long the next stooge lasts.
2
Good timing. Get out before the smell permanently ruins your nostrils. How he put up with baby boy leaves one scratching their head in disbelief. Trump is going down anyway to be replaced by pence. Nixon redux. Everything old is new again. Eh!
5
What we know for sure is that whoever comes next will be less ethical, less moral and cut in on the grift.
14
Trump is a reflection of his deplorable voters. No wonder the ship is leaving the sinking rats. That goes for the White House and this nation.
6
Allegedly steel-spined person turns to butter for a criminal. Way to ruin an esteemed reputation.
2
I'm sure there's some young, blonde, female co-hosts at Faux News he could hire.
6
Surprise, surprise. No shock here. Just a matter of time until he 'ticked off' the dumpster and landed in the dumpster.
Sold his soul and is now tainted with the same dirty brush.
3
Is it only me, or does General Kelly remind others of Reinhardt Hydrich?
3
Sorry, there is no resemblance!
I for one will be very sorry to see General Kelly leave. He has had a calming effect on 45. As a Marine, he did not say just "Yes Sir" and march to this drummer's beat. But wait you say, a general with all that power? Well, I am old enough to remember when Americans gave a retired five star Army general two terms, 8 years in command of our country. (1953-1961). I never met him but know he was courted by both political parties to run for president. I once saw him across a crowd when he came to Connecticut to dedicate a new airport. 34 was a veteran of both world wars. In WWII he became the Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe, a five-star billet. His vice president was Richard Milhous Nixon, who I did meet at that same airport, who later on would give us Watergate. Every time I pull onto an Interstate Highway I think of Ike. For younger readers, I offer the following.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/dwight-d-eisenhower/
General Kelly has too much class to write a book, but I am sure he could and it would be a best seller.
1
I somehow missed his calming effects. When did that happen?
3
General Kelly sullied his reputation by working in the Trump administration. I find this sad given his prior service. The administration is corrupt, deals in lies and in relationships with dictators and murderers I am glad Kelly has finally come to his senses, and even if it was from Trump push is out of this cesspool.
3
Kelly has shown himself to be as great a racist as trump. No loss. But I was looking forward to a house investigation into his eeo record as a general.
9
Tone-deaf Trump still thinks he's got a chance in 2020! At least, he'll have a campaign war chest to plunder!
3
Now it all becomes clear......his legal team really are brilliant They expect the Prez to be under indictment....but know that it’s easy to get him off on an insanity plea...given his one consistency.....erratic behavior with a lack of reality checks. Now it is clear why his staff have allowed him to keep his phone and put all those tweets on record. The second piece of the puzzle also fits....if all else fails, he can jump bail and seek asylum with his buddies in Saudi Arabia. Does he know he may need to convert. Do red ties go with orange jump suits?
5
Whatever integrity Kelly had was lost the day he hitched himself to the Trump septic tank. I don't care about this military service. He is part of the infection that is Trumpism.
12
He knows when to leave a sinking ship.
4
God help us through the chaos to come.
5
Trump saying he is seeking a wily political operative is absurd. Trump has not listened to any political advice. He has created all of his problems because of such refusal to listen. Trump lacks empathy, fails to understand the importance of tone, temperament, and tolerance. He just wants to dictate and bully.
For Trump to ask for a wily political operative as chief of staff is like an alcoholic hiring a care taker to hide alcohol, then firing the caretaker for not giving him any.
4
Kelly was a failure, despite all the bravura at the beginning. Having lived in Boston for a long tome, I know his type: all talk but no testosterone when you need it. Trump walked all over him. A disgrace to the Marine Corps.
2
Loyalty for most potential Presidential staff falls below the Mob standard of Omertà.
2
So, the only adult left is Mattis? The Doomsday Clock just ticked closer to midnight!
8
Trump has an obvious affinity for men of power, which is why he initially surrounded himself with military men (e.g Kelly and McMaster). But his real affinity is for men of power who achieve power by tyranny (e.g Kim and Putin). The difference between Kelly and McMaster is stark. Both were dispatched but McMaster retained his dignity. The same cannot be said for Kelly, who, as Chief of Staff, made several egregious blunders. He placed loyalty to Trump over loyalty to country. And how sad it is that loyalty to Trump and loyalty to country are not one and the same.
7
Should we be concerned that there's no one left minding the store after General Kelly leaves?
2
When a psycho sits in the Oval Office, there never was anyone minding the store.
4
It is still mindboggling to me how ill prepared and unequipped Trump is for job of President of the United States.
Trump was a CEO for decades. Trump should have learned that the chief is ultimately responsibile for both the good and the bad during his watch. Passing the blame onto his hired help is one of Trump's most repugnant personal qualities.
Trump seems to think he has Air Force One on call, can demand military parades, is entitled to tweet whatever pops in his head in the oval office, just because he won the electoral college. He still doesn't seem to realize that a job desciption goes along with commander in chief. No wonder his cabinet swears at him.
7
It is absolutely frightening one of the few disciplined persons in the white house is leaving. Our government left to run by those who lack discipline, who disregard the rule of the law, and who run around like a bunch of kindergartners out of control and whose work experience and career accomplishments have been stints at Fox networks.
Thank Mr. Kelly, you could have retired, could have stayed away, but did not, I thank you for your service.
For 2019, I have a glimmer of hope.
No mention of the time Kelly called a maudlin press conference to help Trump by telling a horrible lie about Rep. Wilson? And then video evidence proved him a liar and he never even so much as apologized to her or the reporters he'd lied to.
Trump is terrible, but that doesn't make Kelly good.
11
We never did find out who wrote that op-ed piece a few months ago - the White House insider who assured us they were hiding papers from Trump, etc. If it was Kelly, then Trump just became even more dangerous.
4
I have little sympathy for all those Trump sinking ship deserters, who joined his administration after realizing who he was and the appalling way in which he conducted himself during his presidential run.
They should have known better.
6
Well, that means Kelly, Sessions, and everyone who leaves has no protection from prosecution. If called to testify they would be required to do so.
The more people who leave the White House the easier it will be to begin impeachment proceedings.
5
I hope, for Mr. Kelly's sake, that he did something useful in the Marines, so that he has a career he can be proud of as he enters the sunset of his years.
Meanwhile, as Omarosa Manigault would summarize most of the comments here, I told you so.
2
Our culture tends to lionize our military leadership---the book, The Generals, by T. Ricks, does much to dispel the worship of these honored warriors---who in the book appear to be more adept at bureaucratic infighting then winning campaigns. The picture Ricks paints supports what we have observed from the Generals serving Trump---absent even the ability at effective bureaucratic infighting.
2
Trump now has a big problem that he doesn't even recognize. All of the adults have left the room, there is now no one to tell him "No." His instincts are not good, and the people surrounding him now will not restrain those instincts, in fact they may lead him on. As strange as it may sound, we could very well see his presidency go further off the rails.
It is a shame, Trump had a mandate to make changes which could have benefited our nation. He has blown the opportunity by doing stupid things and focusing on the petty.
The Peter Principle writ large.
2
Kelly has always seemed like Randolph Scott, a square jawed British guy (actually a Virginian) cast as the hero in American westerns, where they shot Indians. Lighthizer might actually know what he's doing, and it would be a mistake to take him out of his present position. The U.S. has always been pushed around by the new China on trade, and a readjustment on the overall balance needs to be made--if the Chinese could individually invest their savings in America, the problem would be solved overnight. There is also the situation of continued spying for profit, and outright trade restrictions of American businesses. Long term (and urgently short term if anyone has been following the science) the U.S. and China need to reach an agreement on climate change and CO2 emissions. Coal is poison, and China imports oil while it is high cost to produce in the U.S., i.e. expensive to extract including to the environment. The high external costs of using oil should make it a non-starter for both countries; ignoring this is folly bordering on the criminal, and an agreement to spend on infrastructure to replace fossil fuels quickly is in the interest of both countries. Forget tariffs on solar; low cost of the panels should be encouraged. The economic activity of installation plus the money saved on the cost of electricity will more than make up for it.
Whatever, maybe now he’ll have time to stop by and visit and properly apologize to the Gold Star Widow Mrs. Sgt. La David Johnson. Then he can swing by Rep. Federica Wilson’s office and also apologize to her. -Could say to them, “Trump made me do it, made me sell my soul, even though I used to be a man in uniform, a veteran, before I stepped foot into the White House.”
5
The system is flawed. The way we elect presidents, the way we elect senators, the way we allow lobbyists for corporations and wealthy people to disproportionately influence our elections. The system urgently needs reform otherwise we are quite likely to elect another president like Trump, or worse than Trump - as incompetent but not as dumb.
6
@RHR
I think you are correct but the major/underlying problem is the electorate, as Plato said in his book, "The Republic," 2400 years ago: "If the electorate is poorly educated, the Republic will fail" (paraphrasing). And as Kurt Vonnegut (from Indianapolis) would say, "So it goes."
2
Why anyone with a shred of intelligence and a mere soupcon of integrity would even contemplate becoming Trump's next chief of staff is beyond me.
4
Oh well. I had bought the notion that Kelly was a honorable man, bringing order to chaos, doing his patriotic duty, blah, blah, blah..... And then his partisan attack on Congresswoman Wilson with no forthcoming apology when video showed him to be wrong. The scales fell from my eyes. I wondered why a man would sully his reputation for someone who wouldn’t even cross the street for him. As the saying goes, you lie down with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas.
8
It is impossible to "manage" someone with malignant narcissistic personality disorder or other illness. Perhaps the new congress will pass legislation demanding the Trump receive formal psychiatric screening. Should have happened prior to the election. Sad for all concerned.
4
We appreciate the military service of General Kelly and acknowledge his personal sacrifice for the loss of his adult son also serving our nation.
As for his tenure as WH Chief of Staff, Kelly willingly took leave of his senses.
Years ago a reasonably intelligent person could easily gather enough information from open sources to understand the measure of the man called Donald Trump.
Since Kelly chose to associate himself with Trump after that ... well, it is a really problem of his own making.
Have a nice day General.
13
Very few people are going to miss John Kelly. He came into the White House as a well respected retired four-star Marine general. He leaves not as a leader, but resembling a plebe who is only good at following order. He has shown us that he is not a strong and dependable leader who can influence outcomes. It was hard to watch as Kelly, as he lost the honor, respect, relevance and trust of the American people as he morphed into a water-boy carrying Trump's lies. He brought his failures on himself and the American people. He failed his mission. He failed the American people. He failed the country. We all lost under Kelly's tenure as Chief of Staff.
16
Um, I'm kinda ready for the 'best people' hires to begin their tenure. I seem to recall a promise that they would be filling these positions...
2
Given all we've learned about Kelly, it is clear to me that he was willing to risk his reputation working for Trump because he knew his reputation was a lie. He never was an honorable man at all.
11
The good news is that Trump has alienated another former supporter to the point of resignation.
The bad news is that Kelly's departure may well portend Trump's firing of Mueller, as under current circumstances that could easily be the reason for Kelly leaving.
4
Anybody accepting to work for this administration has lost my trust and respect forever right out of the gate. Aiding and abetting this American tragedy is unforgivable.
21
" . . .But found managing Trump an impossible task . . ." I would be shocked if John Kelly ever said that about himself or Trump.
Thank you so much John Kelly for everything you did. You kicked so many of Trump's bad crew to the curb -- Bannon, Gorsky, et al; Amarosa (remember her) and many more. Unbelievable feat getting Bannon out of there -- I cannot believe my fellow liberals cannot even thank him for that!
Well, I think John Kelly is a true patriot and he did this for the good of the country in a time of true crisis --remember that Congress refused to recess to keep Trump from being able to make any appointments or sign anything? That's right when Kelly came on and whisked Trump to New Jersey for a few weeks during which time he managed to school Trump on many things having first gained his trust which is nearly impossible to do with Trump.
People who are being harsh on Kelly are on auto-pilot and will shred anyone who has anything to do with Trump. There is no doubt Kelly was respected by everyone in the White House starting with Trump who could have undermined and/or fired Kelly the minute he wasn't pleased but Kelly managed to walk that razor's edge and gain Trump's trust and respect while also doing a great many important things for this country -- like shoving Bannon to the curb. That alone is HUGE.
It's so easy to be a critic, especially of anything anywhere near Trump. Y'all go ahead, I'm going to thank John Kelly for what he did right which was a lot.
5
Why don't Kelly, Tillerson, Mattis and others tell the American public that trump is unfit to serve? Our military (Kelly and Mattis are generals) put thier lives on the to protect our country. trump is the biggest threat to our country; it is time for some Profiles in Courage.
21
Soon Trump's entire cabinet will either come from reality television programs or Fox News. Trump understands that the more incompetent the people who work for him are, the better he looks by comparison.
11
My personal opinion is that Kelly only took the job to prevent utter chaos and to check the worst instincts of Trump (which is a bit like saying coldest day in Antarctica). Now that Democrats will take the House he knows there is another check. No need to sully his life and reputation further. Looking at who Trump's choices are, it is clear that the list of rats willing to board a sinking ship is rather lacking in talent. Don't expect a James Baker type to be found. Trump should be looking for lawyers not political operatives because the next few years of his life will mostly involve lawyers.
5
Finally!!
When appointed, all the "talking heads" were full of praise that the General will fix everything. However his record at the Homeland security showed the magnitude of incompetence and a guy out of the loop. He did not even know what was coming from the White house i.e. the travel ban.
Glad he is out; one less person who can pretend to be a decent fellow and claim to understand the magnitude of responsibility.
5
John Kelly obviously knows that Robert Mueller is looming large, and he does not want to be smeared by what is about to hit the fan. Kelly is leaving but sadly he will not be able to collect his dignity when he walks out of the White House. He will forever be tarnished by his role as a Trump sycophant.
9
A request to General Kelly: One of the greatest services you can render to the nation at this time is to write an honest memoir of your time and experience at this White House. Coming from a decorated General, your words will carry a lot of weight with the public.
7
Anyone who joins the trump team, at this point, is a bigger fool than those who joined in the past. Tillerson, Spicer and the other departed must now be breathing a sigh of relief. I wonder if any of those surrounding him (except for family, and then maybe not)are trying to find a way to get off that ship. Elaine Chau may be the only astute one pondering (thanks Mitch).
While his base may be loyal, I wonder how long his financial backers will hang around. Bet Pence is doing a happy dance with Mother.
4
Seems like an undisciplined president couldn't stand the discipline of the generals he so admired.
5
Trump has every right to hire and fire his staff at will. What I find unacceptable is his need to demean, bully, and torment these people for sport. I truly believe he does it to divert attention away from the fact that he doesn't know what he's doing and to control people who do. To judge Kelly is premature. We don't know what is actually "Kelly" versus what was his lip syncing of Trump. To have stayed in his tormented position to "protect the country" was wrong. We don't need protection from our leaders - just the truth. Kelly should leave today...there's nothing to gain from investing any more in Trump. I wish him well. I wish us better than all of this chaos.
1
When Benjamin Franklin exited the Constitutional Convention, he was asked what form of government had been created. He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it”. It seems obvious that we failed to keep it. The candidate who received 3 million more votes did not become president. Our greedy billionaires, aided by the NRA, and other “know nothing’s” own our government. The big question is how do we revive our representational democracy, without a total meltdown. This is our most dangerous crisis since the Civil War.
11
Great quote. Thanks, as didn't know it. And yes, this does feel like the most dangerous crisis since the Civil War because what has happened and what is happening suggests many of the bonds that hold us together have been torn. We could add climate change (but we've been told that doesn't exist).
5
Kelly comes of as a total jerk and he really disgraced himself in the way he spoke about Rep. Frederica Wilson.
As far as the staffing change itself, it's just shifting deck chairs on the Titanic. The problem with Trump's presidency is Trump himself. He had a disastrous midterms in the face of a strong economy; has lost friends, not made friends, during his presidency; and is heading into a re-election campaign in the face of a large % of the American population who regard it as a moral imperative to boot him from office.
Fun times!
6
Those who have resigned have the ignominy of having served for a grifter. Nothing more. Nothing less. In a perfect world we would never hear of them again. The rest? Perhaps when they are released from prison. I realize we do not live in a perfect world. Better yet, not to hear from those who voted for him would make me happy.
3
What is worth defending - your integrity or Trump's integrity? A higher calling was meted out by the eulogies at President Bush Snr funeral. Kelly must have soul searched and so did Trump.
With a 60% turnover rate, the White House rivals failing fast food franchises.
7
Being irritated by your boss is pretty common. I think this position is given way too much power, it really is not chief of the president. If he worked for me and tried those things I hear he would be told to MYOB or if not leave now. You are chief of staff, not of the president. You should be an adviser not a boss. The position should have little to nothing to do with policy or getting things through congress. Perhaps the next person will better know their place.
1
Although Gen. Kelly has tarnished his reputation by working with the craven Trump, he could begin to make amends by telling the American people exactly how incompetent, dishonest and unfit Trump is.
33
could Kelly be called as a witness in litigation that is sure to come?
Trump somehow manages to recruit enablers including members of the bar, respected generals, former mayors, and Wall Street titans to leven the mix of know-nothing hacks and rank amateurs running around his chaotic White House.
we do not need the President to see us through a national crisis. he IS the national crisis and anybody he pulls into his orbit is forever tainted and destroyed.
Trump is the dark star, the antimatter president, not only evil and ruthless but ignorant in pursuit of bis selfish goals.
if the country can survive him, we can survive anything.
Thank you for your service. Keeping up with the frenzied pace of this administration is almost impossible. Trump's energy is unmatched. The previous President was done at 4 pm, back in his study, door closed, tuned out. Not so here. I nominate Ivanka for new chief of staff. She is a brilliant manager, Wharton educated, and will protect the President's back. Stay tuned.
1
Under the chaotic White House conditions the constantly moving cycle of appointmentd/disappointments is what characterises the Trump presidency whose revolving door keeps pace with the shifting moods of Trump. John Kelly was supposed to go as he tried to bring order to the White House mess and it irked Trump.
4
The daily chaos in the Oval Office would be enough for almost anyone to run out of there.
20
May we be saved from Ivanka and Jared “running the building” as Jared texts Crown Prince on how to handle PR aboutKhashoggi murder w/ bone saw. Low point
61
God help the United States of America.
52
Kelly’s departure shows that NOBODY can control the impulses of somebody as mentally challenged, amoral and dishonest as Donald Trump. Not even a Marine General.
86
@Barry Palevitz, to the surprise of absolutely no one.
3
All Trump has done is show how human , and flawed ‘ Generals’ are. I suspect a lot of their officer and soldiers know this already .
7
When l read that Mr.Kelly is going Mr.Trump's Chief of Staff, l said to myself that l give General one year or less, why. because Trump does not want to hear the truth, his policy is when he get up in the morning and what he thinks this is the USA policy, and this country knew who Trump was but still they elected him, because they were sick of Hillary's email and Mr.Clinton's live life, and Trump was telling them what ever they want to hear, that is we are now, stock market is a mass, there are nobody in Washington to run this country
4
Only the judicial pillars of our government still appear capable of withstanding the battering by Congress and the White House, and capable of bringing the growing roster of criminals to justice. Perhaps Kelly knows this and that his gig, saving the Oval Office and the country, is up now that Mueller is at full throttle.
Kelly may be guilty of covering up White House crimes by his attempts to protect that institution when he should have been cooperating with Mueller, like Don McGhan has done. Kelly's distinguished military career may get him a get-out-of-jail pass if he tells all. But that's another chapter in this sad saga in American history.
18
Akin to cleaning to Augean Stables. Unpleasant, never ending and impossible. Next Contestant, please.
Happy Holidays, Sir.
23
I'm just waiting for Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who was reelected with an overwhelming 83.7%, to tell him now he take his "empty barrel," misogynistic, unemployed self home!
39
I adore Rep Wilson
She is all that! And she deserved an apology
Niger was Trumps Benghazi
2
@Harold C. Amen!
1
If someone were to write `Profiles in Courage' today, the covers of the book would be touching.
19
When there's a disease outbreak or toxin - people who've come into contact with it have to shower and scrub to rid themselves of the contaminant. Kelly and the hordes of other finest people Trump has discarded should head straight to a decontamination area right outside the Trump White House.
16
You know things are bad when you find yourself half-hoping that the generals-even if you don't like them all that much-will stick around the Trump White House to stage a coup d'etat, should one become necessary to save the United States and/or humanity from utter catastrophe.
The apple-cheeked Georgian, young Nick Ayers, amazingly flush with millions at a tender age, promises to raise nary an eyebrow and will follow Trump's orders without regard to their potential danger to the greater good. That's exactly why he's next on deck!
The Oval Office swamp grows ever deeper with sycophants and crooks who wish only to fatten their bank accounts.
Meanwhile, people possessing integrity; individuals who appreciate their roles as public servants, and leaders experienced enough to understand that great suffering may result if they fail to faithfully execute the responsibilities of their posts are increasingly difficult to find in the Trump Administration's highest ranks.
These are dangerous times.
48
He should have never taken the job. Now he leaves with four tarnished stars having been a Trump stooge.
37
Regrettably, your military career will not be your legacy. Instead, it will be a shameful legacy built on your loyalty to Trump that revealed your hate-fueled racism.
When you write your book or make a statement, don't bother with the phrase "I was misunderstood." Your words and actions recorded on film and in public documents were crystal clear. Never forget this...if you truly were "not all in" with Trump, you had a choice and that was to leave. You stayed and caused real harm to our country.
49
As Bill Maher has said - Here’s what we know for sure. Mar-A-Lago is not sending us their best people.
31
I've heard that JK has been spending a lot of time at the gym, away from the WH, as much as possible.
3
We used to say, "Never exult over the departure of the CO until you see his relief," but nonetheless, it's good to see Kelly leaving. (Be careful, John: Don't let those swinging doors hit you from behind as you leave...) In some ways - but not many - I feel sorry for him. Despite his illustrious Marine Corps career, his reputation has been completely destroyed - besmirched - by his working for Trump. Like many of the others who sacrificed principal for the trappings of power in Trump's orbit, he leaves under a cloud of opprobrium, and will likely never have a responsible job again, unless you count some meaningless sinecure in a right-wing think tank. By selling his reputation - and the honor of the Marine Corps - for a mess of potage, Kelly has fully tainted himself- like all Trump appointees - for life.
15
Another one of "the generals," once supposedly prized by the toddler in chief, bites the dust. And the chaos gets ever worse.
A citizen can only wonder how much longer Jim Mattis will last at the Pentagon. In what John Kelly aptly calls "crazytown," the least valued type of presidential adviser is a grown-up.
6
"But Mr. Ayers, 36, who has young children and wants to return home to Georgia with his family, has so far agreed to serve only on an interim basis through the spring. Mr. Trump, who does not want more turnover, is pressing Mr. Ayers to agree to a more permanent stay, those familiar with the discussions said.
If the president ultimately turns to another candidate, potential choices include the Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin; his budget director, Mick Mulvaney; and the United States trade representative, Robert Lighthizer."
All I can say is, God help us all, what pathetic choices, all.
32
Mr.Trump does not want a chief of staff-he will never operate in anything but chaos.He wants a cheer leader who will make him look better in the press.This is "Mission Impossible".No One can make him look like a responsible leader.With Flynn, Mannafort, and Cohen all pleading guilty to crimes coinciding to their time with him, Trump will not be able to extricate himself from his ugly, irresponsible " reign of error".
24
Kelly is now fair game for FBI questioning, without any conflicted feelings of working for the Pres or being loyal to him. And he must know a lot by now.
12
Can we just have a President who is not at the chaotic center of a swirling morass of self-inflicted wounds and who can actually 'govern'. This new round of staff changes which allegedly will give Trump a team he is comfortable with is scary. People Trump are comfortable with generally have little or no expertise, other than needing to be attractive and unflinchingly loyal, actual skills and experience don't seem to be of much concern to the President. The Attorney General nominee has valuable experience but his judicial philosophy must be questioned in view of the reality of the volatile, self-focused nature of the sitting President. Nauert for United Nations Ambassador is a joke. The probable new Chief of Staff is not going to be able to keep Trump on any constructive leadership course. You can't put lipstick on a pig to quote another incompetent Republican (from Alaska...).
15
Whatever else John Kelly has done in his career, all footnotes next to his name in history will be related to the two years he abandoned all principal and worked for the man who was one of the most - if not THE most - despicable Presidents ever. Hope it was worth it Mr. Kelly.
20
Here's the list of the chiefs of staff in modern times.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_White_House_Chiefs_of_Staff
I've known a few of them somewhat. Oddly, Sherm Adams, who served Eisenhower but got booted after his wife accepted a vicuna coat from a Boston guy in the cross hairs of an FTC investigation, was among the best. Adams went on to found Loon Mountain ski area in NH, a fine organization.
Howard Baker, John Sununu and Erskine Bowles were also solid people and performed extremely well in this role.
They all had gravitas going in. Nick Ayers, not exactly, more like Hamilton Jordan. Ayers could do well, but only if he stands up when it's important.
Why would anyone seek a position where it is likely that you will spend more on legal council than you make, and might face a felony conviction and imprisonment?
The argument being you joined an ongoing criminal conspiracy.
4
More churn than a butter factory
8
The First Rule Of Trump : Everyone He touches is contaminated.
Permanently.
26
Gone but soon forgotten. Kelly failed because he too was incompetent in his job. He also managed to sully his reputation as a stand up guy.
Anyone who is in Trump’s orbit ends up tainted.
So far the only one who has had the last laugh on Trump was Omorosa. Keep writing Omorosa.
5
John Kelly learned to goose-step under Trump’s criminal regime. He carried out the henchman’s orders, attacked the innocent, and turned Washington into a carcinogenic mess. He should be stripped of his pension and prosecuted for high crimes with evil intent.
9
“...And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust...”.
11
Kelly is just another loser in the game to tame Trump. Next?
4
Historically, good generals, do not necessarily do well in politics. Cases in point: Grant, Eisenhower, Colin Powell.
Though there's lots of politics in the military, but it's different. One could always dispatch an annoying subordinate to an assignment in some way out of way place. Kelly could not get Jared and Ivanka to tow the line in the White House chain of command. They really don't report to anybody. In addition, they could always call "daddy" in his private residence in the evening and kvetch.
5
As imperfect as some of Gen. John Kelly's missteps have been over the last 17 months, he still served the country with knowledge of the way government works, was a stabilizing figure in a chaotic White House, and appeared to stop the president from acting on many of his most reckless impulses. Kelly, a man of duty and discipline was in a thankless and difficult no win job.
5
I was stunned when this empty barrel of a has-been General made false accusations against a Congresswoman and I was stunned when he never acknowledged his wrong and failed to apologize.
19
Kelly proved to be the empty barrel.
12
If Kelly was supposed to be the adult in the room the must have been Romper Room. Water seeks its level and Kelly and his Boss are Soulmates. Working for Trump more than a day says a great deal about your lack of character. Kelly has been given a pass because of his service record but have we forgotten Flynn was a general also? Working for Trump is a carreer ending move. You have to be a little masochistic to work for 45. If in doubt ask Rex or Jeff how much they enjoyed being beat on by Trump.
9
If General Kelly had a hard time, I can't imagine that 36 year old Ayers could do any better. Although Ayers does have young children, so he may have some ability to put the toddler Trump into a time-out, if need be. This should be interesting, if not hilarious. Why anyone would would work for Trump at this point is beyond me. Welcome to crazy town, Mr. Ayers!
6
The next elections can't come soon enough. Time to throw out all those rascals!
5
He acted disgracefully during that dustup with Frederica Wilson and proved he was nothing more than just another Trump flunky.
He won't be missed.
11
Replace the lyrics in the song “you’re a mean one, mr. grinch” from “mr. grinch” to “mr. president.” Kinda sums it all up. Lol! Laughing and crying at the same time.
“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, free at last!”
5
John Kelly showed his true colors as Trump's "Chief of Staff." He is a moral coward, a woman hater, a villain to innocent children, a racist, against women's rights, anti-African Americans, arrogant, ignorant of facts and common historical knowledge, and a fraud with respect to honor, integrity, and ethics.
Whatever standing he had as a retired general is gone. He must have been hiding behind his rank the whole time he mistreated African Americans and women. I'll be glad to see him no longer providing cover for the Monster Trump, the fraud and children hater Ivanka, and the money lusting hasband of the wannabe Crown Princess -Jared the Bold - speak softly and never cease to praise his own "accomplishments" no matter whether others can see them or not.
15
Good riddance. But, are there any adults in the room with dt?
2
Trump trusts his gut about important appointments and decisions, and the entire country suffers from indigestion.
13
“It is always dangerous for soldiers, sailors, or airmen to play at politics. They enter a sphere in which the values are quite different from those to which they have hitherto been accustomed.” Winston Churchill
19
Kelly left because he needs the time to take vocal lessons before he sings to Mueller.
27
"John Kelly, Trump’s Chief of Staff, to Leave White House"
I thought it highly unusual for a 4 star general to join the Trump White House with the history of Trump that is common knowledge.
Since I didn't have a personal knowledge of his performance as a Marine Officer and in his office in the White House, I looked Kelly up on Wikipedia and found the following:
John F. Kelly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kelly#Controversies
What I found in the section titled: "Controversies"
was a disappointment. Like a lot of people, I had high hopes that a 4 star General could clean house in the Trump administration. That Kelly didn't do that is a commentary on both he and Trump.
7
Good riddance John Kelly. Why don't you take the pathetic Donald Trump with you when you exist the White House. You would be doing the world a big favor. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
19
This is my way of getting on the record that the Wunderkind that is replacing Gen. Kelly is not 'Anonymous'. The reason he's more dangerous than Kelly, is that he'll facilitate Trump instead of frustrating him. Helping Trump do what he really wants to do is not good for us. The only reason he would 'impose' discipline on the White House is that other people are getting in his way. And by his way I'm referring to anything that his little heart desires.
7
I recall during the campaign Trump pulled out a list of generals and admirals that had supported his candidacy. I would be mortified to have my name appear on that list. It just memorializes the fact that the signatories let down our nation by failing to support and defend the Constitution.
21
The two most disturbing paragraphs here are how Ivanka and Jared Kushner engineered this replacement. Not long ago, Mr. Kelly had been reassured by Trump that his position was secure. That suddenly changed.
There is a growing power being assumed by Ivanka and Jared yet they are responsible for some of the worst decisions such as the firing of Comey, the compromised intelligence classification of Jared, the using of the Kushner private server for much of their email for several months and the continuing use of Ivanka's private emails, Ivanka's Chinese trademarks, and Jared's financial ties with the Saudis and others.
Ivanka simultaneously praised the absurd appointment of the former Fox & Friends person to the position of ambassador to the U.N.
For Mr. Kelly to be replaced at such a critical moment is foreboding. Exchanging his clear vision, experience, and dedication to public office for an exploitative young political operative cannot be good.
We didn't elect the Trump family corporation.
32
Kelly's departure along with Flynn, and Mattis's continued sycophancy speaks volumes of how top military "leaders" play along to get along.
Trump bragged about "his Generals"... And not a blink from the Generals.
Blind ambition was been well documented from ancient Greece through Shakespeare to modern times.
Remember well Westmoreland's "victory is within reach" in Vietnam. Yes, correctly so for the Vietnamese. The Generals are a joke. One gets there by kowtowing to power and the Republic is ill served in the process.
14
When Kelly indicated that the US should have compromised over Slavery before the Confederacy attacked Ft Sumter,
he proved beyond a doubt that he was the same type of dispicable Slavery supporter that every Southern Conservative has proven to be, souless, and clueless about our democracy.
36
Why does he need a chief of staff? Isn't he going to go to jail soon?
39
Will he? Won't he? Will he he? Wont't he. Thank goodness, this speculation is over. He's gone!
4
John, I hope you don't think you're leaving with even a shred of dignity. Don't bother looking for it because it was flushed down the gutter the moment you attached to Individual 1.
37
What took him so long?
4
Don’t worry Mr. Ayers. Your position will be quite interim no matter whether you want it to be or not.
17
"I only hire the Best People"
....
"You're Fired!"
pick one.
4
We can only hope the few months Ayres is committed to on an interim basis will be more than sufficient for this administration.
13
It seems like these DC politicos hopscotch from job to job in any administration, but of course, especially this one. All of which makes me wonder how hard can these jobs be. It takes me -- and I think most people -- a year or so to become adjusted to a new job, but these folks jump from one subject matter area job to another very quickly. Not to pick on her, but Elaine Chao has been the Secretary of Labor and of Transportation. Is there only one person -- okay, one Republican -- who is uniquely qualified to run such disparate cabinet departments? And after dealing with all the politics and glad handing these jobs require, is there any time left do the work?
3
Chao only works 4 days a week. And really, when they ARE working it’s never good for us. Best they keep doing nothing for the duration.
1
Well, John Kelly certainly managed to disgrace himself every day, showing up to work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue under the current regime. A sad ending to his military career. The misrepresentations were staggering.
Redeem yourself, General Kelly. Go talk to Bob Mueller, Adam Schiff, and Mark Warner. Let everyone know exactly what is going on. You owe it to the nation.
62
While Gen Kelly's performance under Trump has been questionable, at least he is kinda adult*. Now what, no more adult. Perhaps this is the beginning of an end. It may end badly. But a new beginning.
* this column should rename itself as "The Last Adult."
4
Although I suspect I disagree with Gen. Kelley on just about everything, I'm grateful for his service in a difficult job in the White House and keeping things from going from disastrous to catastrophic by keeping Trump from being Trump, some of the time at least.
Mostly these staff and cabinet replacements have involved replacing bad with worse. At least Kelley has some competence, experience and perspective. It appears Ayers lacks all of these.
3
He wasn't much better. Telling Trump to take this sword and use it on the press. Lying about the decency of a congresswoman. Leading the pack to tear children from the arms of their parents at the border. Abraham Lincoln should have compromised with the South. Glad he's gone.
33
Rats jumping, or being pushed. Hard to tell.
14
Campaign? He'll be locked up long before that smh...
3
Goodbye to another aged misogynist racist in the White House. I hope Kelly isn't the model for Generals in the military or the world is in serious trouble.
18
Whatever good reputation he supposedly had, ended with his empty barrel comment. Good riddance.
17
Mr. Ayers. Involved with ex-Gov Geitens (Missouri) who had to resign?
13
"... what allies expect will be the most tumultuous year yet of his presidency"?
So, it can get worse?
5
Who should Trump name to replace Kelly as chief of staff? I don't know but whoever it is will likely only be in the position for a short time before he/she realizes what a thankless job it is. In this particular case, I think it would be appropriate for Trump to call Kelly Services and see who they suggest.
6
Thank goodness he can hopefully work on recouping the respect he lost. Sad so so sad to see so many people have a job working for the President Of The United States which most would consider an honour to serve your country only to find out it is not the country you serve but the man. The man does not maketh the country.
6
I really don't understand all the hate against Kelly. I know he is not the person most liberals would want to hold that position, but with a man like Trump in Office I am happy for every establishment figure who is in the room with the president. Quality advise from republican Establishment figures is better than terrible advise from the C-team people that Trump surounds himsself with usually. I diagree with Kelly, Tillerson, Sessions, and Haley on many positions, but thank them for helping steady the ship even if Trump goes off the rails on Twitter.
4
@Felix He exposed his own racist ideology when he falsely accused a black congresswoman of making certain statements; he did not publicly condemn the racists in Charlotte; and when he encouraged brown children to be taken from their parents in an incredibly cruel act. He is a reprehensible individual who has worked to further backwards anti-immigrant and racist policies. In addition he has made clear his anathema to the concept of women being able to have reproductive choice.
7
Trump thinks he is Mussolini.....someone should inform him how it ended for Mussolini.
33
"If the president ultimately turns to another candidate, potential choices include the Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin; his budget director, Mick Mulvaney; and the United States trade representative, Robert Lighthizer."
---
...because Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter, and Hans Gruber are fictional people and therefore not available...
40
But Congresswoman Frederica Wilson still standing and I'm office. Bye, racist!
15
Ah, yes The Swamp is draining...... John Kelly is not part of The Swamp but was caught up in the White House quickly becoming The Swamp as soon as America's Liar in Chief Trump took office.
6
So, is Nick Ayers think Trump is a better bet then coming back to Georgia and Loosing with David Purdue? It is clear in Ga David Purdue will be a one termer. After the Republican vote shenigans in small town North Carolina is throughly exposed. Kennesaw State drop out Nick Ayers that has suddenly made himself millions of dollars doing the same thing won’t stand a chance.
So better to get himself slipped in and start vetting folks for President Pence. sorry boys Nancy will out play you just like Jerry did Agnew.
9
The rats are fleeing the Trump Titanic before she sinks.
10
The last demi-adult has left the building.
Please turn out the lights.
14
General Kelly, Sir!
Make sure that the door doesn't hit you...how does this go?... something, something, on your way out.
Can someone help me with this?
7
Who's next for this job? Larry the Cable Guy?
24
@Jim
Sean Hannity would be a good choice. Hannity thinks Trump is the perfect president, and Hannity is stupid enough to buy all the lies that Trump spouts off all the time. It would be a marriage made in heaven.
10
Larry was interviewed, but found unfit for the position, due to his association with AFE (Americans For Ethics).
1
His former secretary of state is criticizing him, fox news is denouncing him, your allies are criticizing him, everybody is leaving him, his family, friends, lawyer, etc are mostly liars and crooks and after two years his administration is still unstable. Face it people with all his sexism, racism, extremism and infidelity he is a middle eastern dictator not a president for United States of America.
38
Yeah, but outside of that he’s a super guy.
2
We can’t wait for trump to leave as well.
The news of the day is not about this spineless general Kelly who never once—not once—stood up to Trump’s racism, misogyny, and flat out stupidity.
It’s Weisselberg, the Trump Organization CFO who was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony. Remember, this money man referred to as
“Executive 1” went to Mueller to spill the beans sans subpoena, indictment, or invitation for a little chat over coffee.
As CFO, Weisselberg knows all of Trump’s finances and of course, he has a copy of Trump’s tax return.
Don Jr., Ivanka, Jared, Trump...Merry Christmas.
60
So, Nick Ayers is 36 years old, has worked in politics his entire adult life, and in the process has amassed a net worth somewhere between $12M and $54M? Yeah, I think we should go ahead and put this guy under the microscope.
72
Public office...a great way to make your first million.
9
The incoming Democratic House lesdership should "invite" General Mattis to Congress for a little "conversation" about things he might have seen or witnessed Trump say or do, while he was chief of staff. Under oath, and under power of subpoena.
5
Is General Mattis chief of staff for Trump?
1
Imagine that! I thought he'd either get dumped by trump or stage a coup d'tat himself.
3
Jonh Kelly's 2030 Memoirs: I stole that document from Trump's desk.
11
Time for a female former Navy fighter pilot to fill this job. One who is not manly....with womanly face and hair. A woman used to interacting with men in a role that doesn’t involve clerical tasks or serving beverages. Experienced in a male-dominated field. Forget these sycophantic males eager to get their 17 minutes of fame.
3
Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll hire Sean Hannity as the new chief of staff thereby killing two birds with one stone. 1) It'll get Sean off of Fox News and spare the country from the number purveyor of fake news. 2) It will destroy Sean's career, and his reputation with the base, when Trump eventually fires him. Whoopee!
21
What’s worse war or working for trump. I guess we have our answer.
6
Kelly went in looking like prime steak. He comes out looking like luncheon meat. I can't think of a single soul whose stature has been enhanced by their tenure in the current White House.
21
Nobody commented on this angle, so I'll give it a whirl.
"The leading candidate to replace Mr. Kelly is Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff and a Republican political operative, who possesses the kind of savvy about campaigns that Mr. Trump has craved. Mr. Kelly, a career military officer before becoming Mr. Trump’s first homeland security secretary, lacked such experience."
Chief of staff has far more important duties than being "savvy about campaigns," namely helping the POTUS run the country smoothly with all the different departments vying for the attention and focus of the commander-in-chief.
This is hardly surprising, since Trump's term in office has been marked by endless campaigning, the "rallies" in exclusively red regions where he can rile up the base. We've never seen this before. Between all the relentless campaigning for re-election where the WH occupant denigrates Hillary (she's not running for anything anymore- at least not yet!), the media, the FBI, and our allies, coupled with his taxpayer funded excursions to play golf (remember how he excoriated Obama over the same!), it's a wonder anything gets accomplished. (It doesn't, really.)
John Ayers sounds perfect for Trump. Anyone wonder how one amasses that wealth by the age of 36 as a "political consultant?" Or the wide range in estimates of his net worth? Sounds like another guy who doesn't file tax returns! And since when do presidents poach talent from their VPs?
17
He lied about a congresswoman in Florida. Fabricated a story that was a proven lie. He never apologized. He optimizes the saying about lying with dogs. A 4 star general that had a stellar reputation before he made his Faustian Bargain. Like so many others who sold their souls to be close to the vestiges of power, he compromised with his principles, and consequently he's left with no principles at all.
21
Criticize all you want of General Kelly. He was probably the only adult in the room. Trump is looking for yes men and cheerleaders, the latter of growing importance as his tenure degenerates to absurdity. There is little evidence that there is anyone who can really steer Trump away from the trouble he has caused in this job. He seems most comfortable with family members, all of whom have nothing in the way of Government experience. This is a dangerous time. Lighthizer would be a good pick. He is bright, knows Government, and might be able to manage Trump a bit.
3
At this point why bother to hire another. Just a waste of time and money! The Republican Senate will let Trump run his business, make his money, and destroy the American economy with his use of tariffs. — as The Republican Majority is proven to be complicit in his crimes and could care less! They’ve scored a major victory for White Supremacy and will ride it all the way to the 2020 elections.
9
To the NYT: it would be really interesting to see a comparison of the shelf life of the current administration’ staff versus previous ones. This turnover is unprecedented and very telling. In any organization, it is well known that the reason most employees leave is because of their managers’s failure or incompetence. This one looks like a kindergarten play, when someone is considered extremely capable and in a matter of months, they become a complete failure, in the assessment of the “hiring manager”.
5
Mueller drops some of his paperwork.
One day later Kelly drops his.
I guess he sees no point keeping a lid on things anymore...
7
@Tommy Weir Kelly is preparing his voice for all the singing to Mueller he will do shortly.
1
When the Trump wall of shame is built—although it is more likely it will be burned down to try to blot out this painful chapter in our history—this Marine general too will be disgraced by his service to a shell of a man who has no loyalty but to himself. What a way to cap a career.
By now one would think the writing on the wall of shame is clear but, alas, it is simply full of names of those who have fled the chaos that surrounds this president.
6
Just a brief update/comment from the flyover purple state of Mich.
Living in such a closely divided state, you would think that we are all at each other's throats, but really it is exactly the opposite. My Repub. friends are all very respectful of my lib. political inclination, just as we Dems. all try to get along w/our Repub. neighbors. We are all actually pretty moderate peeps & are not at all polarized. I am actually cat-sitting for my Repub. friend this winter, right now my feline charge is licking his paw in front of the fireplace & has no idea of my political affiliation.
The one thing that I have picked up from my civil discourse w/my Repub. friends is that quite a few of them seem to secretly/quietly regret having voted for Trumpy, & so they will not do so again. 2020, problem solved. Let's not play the blame game w/our fellow Americans/neighbors & just move forward.
15
The latest to jump ship Kelly will find it hard to explain why he waited so long. Thought to make a difference in the beginning to organize a chaotic collection of misfits he soon found out the number one misfit was totally unmanageable.
6
This long-suffering general speaks for the great majority of us when he says, "I don't need this".
9
What Trump needs in his stuff are more Oliver Norths. People who can execute what the boss says without telling the Boss what the details or maybe even illegal, so when the bricks fall, Trump just blames somebody else.
3
Hoping General Kelly's little chat with Mueller's team convinced Kelly to come clean about Trump's attempts to obstruct justice.
5
I hope John Kelly is fed up with being in Trump mob. John Kelly was smart and tough and I hope he rises up with a “surprise” for Trump that reveals the truth of what he’s seen!
Come on John Kelly, Think of the country and the planet in dire peril.
Be part of the solution now because you’ve been complicit in the problem with the mob boss.
4
I won't mourn Kelly's departure. He may be the grown-up in the room, but he's shown himself to be cut from the same cloth: bigoted and uncaring about the truth.
16
Nick Ayers might have political instincts that mesh with Trump's, but like those other young bright lights of the West Wing, Ivanka and Jared, he lacks any experience with the tasks of governing or expertise in anything beyond political intrigue and maneuver. And when we're told that should Ayers not take the post or do so only for a brief period the candidates to replace him are Mnuchin, Mulvaney and Lighthizer, I cringe, because these men have demonstrated that they live in a symbiotic relationship with Trump: flattering him, executing his "policies" but lacking in any pushback. SAD.
6
. . .and as with every other person who has served for Trump, his reputation has been diminished due to his service.
12
"In the residence on Friday night, the president and Mr. Kelly agreed that the departing chief would break his own news on Monday, announcing his exit to senior White House staff members. But Mr. Trump ultimately broke the news himself on Saturday afternoon."
That about sums it up. How could anyone possibly work for such an egomaniac?
22
Interesting transitions now underway at White House staffing. First, the departure of John Kelly potentially means he can be a much more open witness and provider of information to the Special Counsel's Office investigations. No longer will Trump and inner circle have any idea of Kelly's time spent with Mueller's team, and nor is there reason for Kelly to hold anything back (not saying that he ever did such). The second aspect of this, the suggestion of Nick Ayers to fill Kelly's position. I think this is bigger than what most people might ascribe. To wit, suppose Trump has already worked out a "pardon" from Mike Pence ala what Gerald Ford did with Richard Nixon in 1974. If you're Pence - lest anyone forget Pence's role, look to Pence's effusive commentary heaping lavish praise upon Donald Trump - it makes sense to install "your guy" as chief of staff because Ayers is loyal to Pence, and Ayers will help set an agenda for Pence to restore some order (at request of Mitch McConnell) to get remaining agenda items ticked off in next two years while Republicans control the Senate. It's clear Donald Trump is sensing the sides of the traps all closing in on him, his family members, and cronies. Trump needs a lackey who will issue the "Get out of Jail" pardon to preserve Trump's ill-gotten financial gains and massive crimes against the Constitution. This is a slow-motion assault by Republicans using their present political power - NO remorse about the affronts to our democracy.
11
I hope Kelly gets rich writing the book. Trump throws his employees under the bus; they at least deserve to profit from the demoralizing experience.
3
No. Kelly needs to “throw Trump under the bus” with Mueller’s team. Now.
7
General Kelly assumed as he became chief of staff for the unpredictable and volatile Trump that he would handle the president in the same manner he commanded his troops while on active duty. The problem with retired generals is their propensity to treat civilians the same as troops. Additionally, kelly showed himself to be mostly a Trump troll. Lucky for him he still has his military retirement to sustain him as he seeks other means of employment.
4
Truly not sorry watching this revolving door. I wonder if mr Kelly thought it was worth the destruction of his reputation.
7
Once again, Trump is confused at the expense of the nation. He’s hiring a 36-year-old campaign manager, rather than a Chief of Staff.
8
Here's a question for political pundits. Let's say Trump is Impeached and convicted by the senate in his first term. Can he run for President in 2020 again? Do you think he would win the Republican primary?
1
This is not a big deal and President Trump's advisors are not shrinking. People leave political positions all the time and are replaced. This is all this is and will result in a non issue.
Does anyone reading this know where our Ship of State is headed?
Good people in, once in what happens that they leave without honor?
2
Now, if Grumpy Trumpy can only resist his inherent temptation to badmouth yet another departing cabinet member, we'll all be better off. Including him.
He doesn't appear to realize he is fueling the fires for more and more tell-all book authors.
3
I know the John Kelly types well. There's a certain type of person who thinks a lot of external structures (meetings, memos, schedules, calenders, explicit rules) will somehow magically create internal structure and harmony. These people hold meetings to discuss meetings, pass out memos to discuss another memo, have rules made out in big fancy poster paper. Meanwhile after awhile people start to notice that underneath all the external structures chaos still reigns supreme.
Truth is no one can control the Tweeter in Chief. Kelly's attempts to ingratiate himself with Trump by doubling down on Trump's most vile statements make him even more of a chump.
4
The American public certainly got to know Kelly through his positions in the Fake President's Administration. None of it was flattering and most of the revelations about his true character were downright revolting. The question remains: How did such a person advance to one of the highest ranks in our armed forces?
6
I am surprised that John Kelly lasted as long as he did. He should be congratulated for working under difficult circumstances. It sounded as though it was not always easy. He should be rewarded for serving our country admirably.
1
"In Mr. Ayers, Mr. Trump sees what Mr. Kelly, a career military officer, was not: a wily political operative whose focus would be on politics and campaigning as the president looks toward his re-election bid."
In this case, "wily" means corrupt, beholden to the Koch Brothers branch of the right-wing oligarchy. Let us not forget, not even for a split second, that the cavalcade of corrupt official after corrupt official, including former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, was brought to you by Mike Pence and Nick Ayers, in their capacity as transition team for the Trump administration.
---
https://www.rimaregas.com
13
As I read this article two clichés popped into my mind:
A fish rots from the head.
Like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Sure there are a few more, but they didn't come to mind.
16
He should have left before Trump took him to the basement with him. Kelly showed his true colors when he lied on the woman from Florida and failed to apoplgize when his lies were exsposed. The Stench of being the overseer of Trump for almost two years will not be easily washed off. From The White Supremist in Virginia to the Fake Brown Skinned invasion of our southern border Kelly was there.History will not be kind to Kelly.
44
From worse to worser.
17
@stefanie...... to worserer.
3
.......and the continuing saga of the so-called Trump administration drags along. John Kelly doesn't deserve any accolades for his role in the White House. His insults to a Florica congresswoman come to mind. He shamed himself as a four-star Marine General by becoming the water boy for a clown woefully unqualified to lead. And to think that we have at least two more years of this utter nonsense. God help us if another four are tacked on later!
24
Anyone who associates with the current president will walk away diminished, if not indicted
36
This is ridiculous! Of course, the whole term of Individual ! is ridiculous in the first place.
But, could Individual 1 ever learn to have some decency? What did he gain by pre-empting Kelly's announcement to senior staff?
If he "frets about the constant chaos" he should start by looking in the mirror.
And then pick someone who is willing to stay longer than next spring!
The national nightmare is far from over.
11
John F. Kelly: never was such a crucial White House role ever before filled by such a disappointingly empty barrel of a human being.
47
@Leigh
uh?
Try the top spot, anything emptier than that (oversized) suit?
2
And just like that a blemish on your resume, that can’t be erased....
16
Cesar Milan wood be a good candidate for the position.
13
A 36 year old guy who has been chief for the zombie VP should will have no chance at containing Trump's self-destructive urges.
11
How long before Kelly says something bad about Trump, and he is hit by a Tweeter storm?
9
Gen. Kelly certainly restored order to this administration. Mission accomplished. Time to 'stand down'...
1
Sarcasm, right?
4
Who will be the last man to go to jail for Trump?
Not Kelly, apparently.
6
He is fired! By serving Kelly sullied his reputation, if he had any.
14
The White House staff has looked like a temp agency run by a guy who has never had a real job himself. And that guy claims to know how to do any and every job without real experience!
Just the fella to become the President of the United States of America. He has proven his bluster. " You don't have to know how to do a job once you have it". It continues to get worse and will until he leaves one way or another.
17
In 3.5 weeks it will be possible to say "Donald Trump will be voted out next year".
11
“People leave,” Mr. Trump said at the time. “It’s a very exhausting job — although I love doing it, I must tell you — but it’s ..."
-Of course it's not exhausting for DJT, he doesn't read, he watches Fox news and uses his gut to make decisions. Sounds like an easy job to me.
31
Guess Kelly figures there's still time to get on Santa's "nice" list.
7
Let's hope General Kelly pens his own account of his 15 months as President Trump's Chief of Staff. In all group photos in which Gen John Kelly has appeared during his Chief of Staff capacity, he looked unhappy or angry. The new Chief of Staff -- perhaps -- will be Nick Ayers, who at 36 years of age hasn't been seasoned in the deep Trump swamp, but has been Vice-President Pence's chief of staff. How long will it take for Trump to grow irritated with Ayers? Irritation, chaos and dysfunction reigned during Priebus's and Kelly's tenure. "People leave", as Trump has said. They came and went as White House Press Secretaries -- and so many other Trump Cabinet appointees -- have come and gone. The near future looks unendurable, but we'll endure it. Even though Trump has announced he's naming that bright blond former Fox newsie to replace Nikki Haley as our Ambassador to the U.N. Maybe Ms. Haley will write a book.
4
[[Mr. Trump frets about the image of a White House in constant chaos.]]
And therein lies the problem. He's worried about the "image" of a White House in chaos, rather than addressing the fact the his administration actually is in chaos.
Everything about him deals with surface impressions rather than substance. The hair, the skin, the doll-like offspring and wife.
So odd.
31
The adults have left the building.
3
Kelly's claim to fame is not being fired by Twitter.
20
Kelly’s leaving, but no replacement, yet. Translation: Kelly can’t get out of there fast enough and no one else wants the job.
8
While much of it is necessary and the times and other news outlets must report the comings and goings, and the Mueller investigation, we lose sight of the climate, abandoned children at the border, people struggling for healthcare and adequate healthy food. We don't see leadership when residents are hit with hurricanes or wildfires. We don't address our role in the crimes occurring in Yemen. Sheesh, it's a country, it's not a sit-com.
16
I only wish for General Kelly's sake he should have been the one to announce his exit - in a tweet! But Trump pre-empted him. Gen. Kelly was abused by this President. And we have words and body language from Gen. Kelly about his total abhorrence for his job. But I fail to understand why he suffered through this President and this chaotic White House. To be honest this great General put his reputation on the line when he agreed to this job. He should have quit on his own terms or not accepted the job itself. Somehow why do I not feel sorry for him?
4
@NNI Having at least one adult reluctantly attempt to bring some sanity and order to the White House was worth a try. Now, General Kelly and the rest of the country know it is a totally impossible job.
3
"Mr. Kelly had planned to announce his departure to senior staff members on Monday, but Mr. Trump pre-empted him on the South Lawn on Saturday afternoon."
What? And steal Trump's time in the spotlight? Get real, Gen. Kelly.
It is but a matter of time, a week or two at most, before Mr. Trump unlimbers his Twitter thumbs on Kelly. Gone will be the superlatives. In their place will be one or any number of Trumpian slams, slurs, and slimes as he bids one final good riddance after another to the last adult left standing in the White House.
24
Kelly showed his true colors during he tenure. As both DHS Secretary and as Chief of Staff he proved himself to be a racist and a serial abuser of human rights. The family separation policy and the kiddie koncentration kamps, so bay ofeloved and cruelly run by his successor, Kirsten Nielson, are his creation. Whatever honor he may have earned in his military career has evaporated. He has brought shame upon himself, and frankly on the Marine Corps as it leaves many of us wondering how someone like Kelly could rise to such rank.
31
The only way he can redeem himself is if he admits he wrote the NYT op ed piece saying he was the "adult in the room".
15
Ayers who is sponsored by Ivanka and Jared to replace Kelly will cement their positions as co-presidents with all the power that comes with. The financial interests of the Kushners will be well served since Jared sponsored MSB to head up Saudi Arabia. The ambitions of this power couple are well known, Ivanka was involved with the MOscow TRump Tower project and Jared got a billion $ loan from Qatar after he used his influence to damp down the blockade he put in place. They need to protect the Trump organization as they are the heirs of this billion $ biz so they will squash any investigation into Trump Organization . Jared was the one who engineered the firing of Comey. Their plans go go south if more damaging info comes out about Trump enough to end his presidency and the gold mine it provides to the family.
21
Nick Ayers managed Tim Pawlenty's failed 2012 presidential campaign. Let's hope he achieves similar success as Trump's chief of staff.
17
It’s about time, John Kelly. Remember when you frowned at the NATO conference and the party line was that you didn’t like your breakfast. You’ve been enabling far too long.
21
Now immediately tell the American people the unvarnished truth, General. You owe your country no less.
24
Kelly has shown the world that you can be a retired General and be a Racist at the same time. After serving 45 I wonder how Kelly looks in the mirror in the morning while shaving. After being canned by Trump he is persona non grata at Fox News and I doubt if MSNBC will give him a talking head job. Good Ridance to a guy who thought putting little Brown kids in cages was a good idea.
60
The idea the military is a check on Trump is another liberal fantasy. Good riddance!
7
[[Mr. Trump made the announcement to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia on Saturday.]]
Yet another "press conference" shouted over the whir of a helicopter and the first 40 seconds of tape is a complete nothing...scrambled thoughts, vague dates, meaningless hand gestures, repeated phrases.
How many formal press conferences has he had vs these types of events?
And where is Sarah Huckabee Sanders? I don't recall any press conferences with her either.
10
It does not matter. Trump is his own chief of staff. Trump is also his senior economic advisor. After consulting Fox Trump is also his senior military advisor. Ivanka is his fashion advisor. His son in law is in charge of Middle East peace.And in their spare time they run the Trump real estate firm. No need to worry the Donald is in charge.
10
@Milton Lewis " Ivanka is his fashion advisor. ...." Another example of Trump's bad decision-making.
1
[[Mr. Trump must also begin to navigate a new power structure on Capitol Hill that will be ushered in next month when Democrats assume control of the House.]]
No he doesn't.
He and McConnell simply want to ram as many conservative judicial nominations through as possible. He wants to please the Kochs and their ilk.
5
The problem with Kelly leaving is the same as when Tillerson left, these men were keeping Trump in check and with his departure you have to wonder will the next crew do the same.
I think the next crew will be more like Cohen and willing to skirt if not break the law doing Trump's job in running the country.
4
The main reason gambling is so popular springs from the thought of getting something for nothing. Sure you have to buy a ticket but that is just another beer you don't need and if you win it's case after case.
I have little doubt General Kelly thought he could and would bring some order to the surroundings which he did. Too bad Mr Trump outranks him.
4
Giving Gen. Kelly the benefit of the doubt, it's always bothered me that a man with such a positive reputation as a patriot, as one who has served his country honorably, went to work for such an obvious deviant as Donald Trump. I've hoped only that Gen. Kelly would provide guidance and a steady hand on Trump's tenure. I am not sorry to see him leave. I believe his reputation has been harmed just by his association with Trump. Yet, I find it difficult to believe that he will be replaced with anyone of superior moral character.
7
Regardless of having a perfect reputation before, once you have aligned yourself with a madman, you are stained forever!
4
So, a 36 year old college dropout will replace the retired Marine general.
Yup. That sounds about right.
45
Another witness departs the White House.
21
@BC Or someone seeking a plea deal, like another general.
1
I hope your next job is less thankless and for a better person, General.
4
Flynn
Mcmasters
Kelly....guess those tough generals couldn't hack it
4
From the president on down, most of what we have in the White House are conmen and hustlers, all there to concoct and market a facade to the public that will hide the real business they are pursuing: self-promotion and self-dealing. Almost none of them know anything about government. Few have any interest in performing the jobs they are hired (elected) to do. All most of them want is to cultivate a coterie of national and international business connections that will enrich them while in office. Ayers will fit right in with the rest of Trump's corrosive, corrupt crew. The rest are hard-core right-wingers who desire to impose the wishes of a small contingent of fascist, patriarchal authoritarians upon the entire country, and they will gladly condone anything the "businessmen" want, as long as they gettheir activist right-wing judges. And the "businessmen" don't care what the fascists do, as long as they can keep self-dealing while in office. Fox News gladly provides them a channel to spew their lies and self-promotional marketing. With these factions, this administration is a disaster for the people of the United States.
9
As a US Navy Veteran who had the distinguished honor to work for President Ronald Reagan, President George H W Bush, the Honorable Congressman Jack Kemp, and RNC Chairman Lee Atwater, I praise the extraordinary patriotic leadership of the Honorable Secretary General James Norman Mattis and the Honorable COS General John Kelly.
I've always felt a sense of national security knowing that esteemed military leadership was at the helm cobating America's greatest enemy and threat "cyber terrorism".
Thank for your continued patriotic service General Kelly, and may God bless the next chapter of your wonderful life as you continue to do what is best for America.
Godspeed always,
Jimmy Whitehead
US Navy Veteran
Director
Admiral Hyman Rickover Cybersecurity TIOT (RX5-PSI)
www.us-hart.com
2
@Jimmy Whitehead Lee Atwater of Willie Horton fame?
6
@Jimmy Whitehead
Good that you could shoehorn General Kelly into that self promotion. . .
5
It's telling that Ayers dropped out of college and was able to amass many millions through lobbying in a few years; money is his game and he'd only do this if it will make him richer later. I wonder if he returns to Georgia to prepare for a political career.
5
The Coward in Chief fires a loyal general and heads for the Army-Navy game. Want a picture of hypocrisy? That's it.
As to Gen. Kelly's replacement, why not Jared? Genius, right?
7
Add Kelly to the list of Trump appointees who have sacrificed their careers and reputations in the service of a corrupt and racist egomaniac. Kelly went in with high marks. But after taking on the role of Trump sycophant, and trying to defend and justify the indefensible, Kelly leaves as a small, beaten down
man. Good riddance.
19
@Willian, the only high marks he had going in, was that he had a grudge against Obama (eye roll).
5
Whether history shows John Kelley's tenure with Trump to be a good or bad thing, I give my hat off to him for his quixotic attempt to manage a sadly sick person.
Nick Ayers is a fool to think he can do better for a man who considers all others pawns. Trump has proven to be a losing proposition for everybody but his family; just look at all the road kill.
4
“Hey John, I’ve got a great idea.” “What’s that Mr. President?” “Let’s announce you are leaving my staff the day after I’m implicated in a felony scheme in federal court to change the news cycle.” “Great idea Mr. President.”
17
Abraham Lincoln is spinning in his grave.
2
"Mr. Trump, speaking with reporters . . .before departing for the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia" . . .
FINALLY ! The World's Greatest Commander In Chief will actually visit "HIS" Troops !!!
3
@LouAZ; yeas, but from the safety of the 50-yard line, not in an active combat theater...
The plaground monitor is departing. Now the Bully has free reign. Sigh.
5
There is no safe limit of Trump Radiation. All those exposed suffer terminal grifter cancer.
10
It makes sense for Nick Ayers to say he'll only stay on until Spring - very smart to plant a story before he starts to explain his inevitable leaving as being on his own terms.
5
I just finished watching young Nick Ayer's old DUI arrest video. Post General Kelly and his Homeland Security legacy, is it just hopelessly naive to wish for a WH chief of staff who, if unlucky enough to get pulled over after only "one very strong Jack and Diet Coke", does not refuse a breathalyzer test and does not mention his very important, politically connected job over and over?
Clearly. The sheer, oily charm of him - combined with being young, white, blond, Southern, pious, radical and really rich - makes him a perfect fit.
21
@Parker
pious?
Yet another rat flees the sinking ship.
7
People trying to get off a sinking ship.
What a sad state our country is in. We need to get rid of this whole administration,full of liars,con men,a son in law no one voted for,Russian spies,etc. The man at the top hasn't a clue how to run this country. Let's elect a woman next time..Democratic is preferred.We need huuuge CHANGE
4
Everything Trump touches dies. Period. Add up the "carnage" for yourself. Worst president this country has ever had. One of the more despicable humans on the planet. BTW i won't miss John Kelly either.....almost as crude and bigoted as his boss. Can't wait 'til 2020, but there is lots of work to be done before then. This Republican Congress should have its own wall of cowardice, sheepishness, and shame. The swamp has been drained which is why you can see all the reptiles below.
13
Congratulations, General Kelly.
6
Maybe MbS can take his place.
3
What took him so long? He's not a fool and he should have known that Trump is an impossible, incompetent loser before he started.
I wonder what Mueller will be able to glean from him to prove Trump's unquestionable involvement in all sorts of nefarious and criminal schemes.
How a distinguished Marine Corps General could possibly support this clear and present danger to our Union as his lackey is beyond me. NOW IS HIS CHANCE TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BETTER by spilling all the beans on the Dotard-in-Chief - IF he cares anything for our country. Time will tell.
17
@RealTRUTH
Look at today's Borowitz in The New Yorker. How wonderful would THAT be!
1
Sure, you start out with big hopes and dreams, fire in your belly and stars in your eyes. You leave with a kick in the pants and barely avoiding indictment. The Trump " experience ".
SAD.
15
@Phyliss Dalmatian
The great Clark Kerr said that he left his position as chancellor of Berkeley as he had entered it: Fired with enthusiasm.
At least Gen. Kelly wasn't fired in a tweet or when he was on a trip and learned from a TV screen.
4
As with most Trump appointments but a few, Nick Ayers represents another example of the Peter Principle.
15
Anyone who works for Trump is tainted for life. Hey, you might even go to prison and your living expenses will be taken care of. How long before Trump insults John Kelly?
7
We should assume that whoever becomes the next Chief of Staff is as immoral and dishonest as Trump. The Trump administration is toxic! What sane person would want to be associated with Trump at this point?
I think Hannity would be the best choice. It would kill two birds with one stone!
7
Kelly -- or a very good case for denying that Trump sullies everything he touches. John ("empty barrel") Kelly was a racist and a liar even before he came in, except that his uniform hid it. Now we know, and we won't forget. Generals can be such little mediocre men sometimes.
5
Of course Kelly is leaving. He doesn't posses the core element needed to work in this White House -- incompetence.
4
Kelly didn't exactly cover himself in glory during his tenure ... the despicable attempt to impugn that Congresswoman from Florida springs quickly to mind. When you cast a cold eye on the parade of syncophants and n'er do wells that have passed by us all in the past two years, it is really difficult to name a single one who hasn't left with a stain on their character in one way or another. Incredibly, the only one who might have possibly left with a shred of dignity remaining is perhaps Tillerson, which is pretty amazing considering where he came from.
393
@Fergal OhEarga Tillerson, along with Trump, oversaw the hollowing-out and the weakening of the State Department. The loss of institutional memory and expertise. The failure to refill top positions such as the regional under-secretaries — the one responsible for policy in Africa, for instance.
Tillerson was picked by Putin because his back-ground is from a multi-national corporation, whose interests as often as not do not coincide with the U.S. national interests.
61
@Fergal OhEarga
Well, as of yesterday, Tillerson is finally telling “the truth” about Trump’s many liabilities as a leader. But why ever did Tillerson take on a job for which he was not suited, along with serving a President with whom he was not suited. His attempt to “restructure” State, bringing in consultants for $1 million who did not have a clue about the excpetional culture of the Foreign Service, was close to devastating to morale to the professionals serving overseas and in Washington. He drove a lot of superb government servants out of State. Even today, there are a lot of senior positions in State are still not filled.
In my view, anyone who is a serious, upstanding and smart person who wants to serve in government should avoid the White House now. Sad!!
43
....Actually, Nikki Haley is leaving with dignity as well.
11
It's almost like he waits til a Saturday with a new SNL. Eager to see the cold open
7
Weask: And why are we surprised?
2
The Madness of King trump continues. Anyone got a score card handy? I can't keep track.
2
surprise, surprise, surprise, all of this from our "Staple, genius" president!
2
The king of projection strikes again:
“It’s a very exhausting job — although I love doing it, I must tell you — but it’s exhausting for a lot of people.”
Trump is:
• exhausted
• doesn’t love his job
10
@ opinionated
I don't think trump loves anything about this job except the constant limelight. I don't think he ever wanted to be president- just the thrill of the crowds along with beating Hillary and Obama. It's way too complex and requires too much work for him.
Interesting analysis from Woodward's book- trump was ready to lose but Bannon kept pushing the issue.
Of course the issue of losing would have been catastrophic for trump, but he would have spun it as a 'rigged campaign.' Of he's stuck with a job he doesn't want or like and we're stuck with him and his revolving door.
"But Mr. Trump, who frets about the image of a White House in constant chaos......"
Words fail me on this one.
18
Is there anyone who believes Trump is looking for a real chief of staff like James Baker? Of course not. He is looking for an echo chamber and boot polisher like Stephen Miller.
7
it is a sinking ship. When a ship starts to sink everyone puts on a life jacket and jumps overboard.
Trump can always go to his condo on the Volga.
4
I used to consider these folks rats being pushed off a sinking ship. Now? Now I think of them as just fleas their master has shaken off. They’re insects.
6
Good Riddance to the general who we learned is not a very honest nor honorable person.
16
And now, Kelly will want to portray himself as one of the few adults in the room who stayed on for the good of the nation. Yeah, right......
10
At the rate the house of cards is falling courtesy of Mr Mueller and his team, it may be Trump, not Ayers, that doesn't last out beyond Spring.
4
One of the much scrutinized lines in the Mueller memo on Flynn was how he had a distinguished record in public and military service to the country in addition to his substantial help to the investigation. Kelly also served his country for his entire adult life, and I appreciate his honor and dedication.
Ayers is from Georgia and is closely associated with the slimy politics here. As noted in the article, he has already managed to gain between $12 to $54 million, and was extremely reluctant to stop his profits from his C5 company when working for Pence. He only did so after a long delay and under some pressure. Ayers also may have crossed the line into violating campaign finance laws with his odd arrangement with Trump as a volunteer while being paid by Pence. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/20/mike-pence-nick-ayers-campaign-finance-disclosure-244005
Mr. Kelly at least was highly respected by many at the beginning of his appointment. He did seem to demonstrate bigotry towards the black congresswoman although I'm willing to give him a pass on that since the White House was simultaneously exploiting his tragic loss of his son in Iraq and this would have been a very difficult moment for him. Bias towards immigrants and the atrocity of mistreating children was associated with him as well as with his protégée.
Everyone leaves the Trump administration tarnished or at Fox. It's the Great Escape though as far as mental health, stress, and decency are concerned.
5
One would have thought, nay, hoped, that General Kelly would have been smart and conscientious enough to quit long before. I feel sure he was attempting to alleviate the debacle and to further the interests of the United States. Didn't work. Organized evil remains evil. At least he has spoken and one feels sure truthfully and fully with the Special Counsel's Office; he will not share a cell with his erstwhile "boss: and all the other White House criminals when they are convicted. General Kelly being already familiar witth the weather and environment at Ft. Leavenworth surely had no desire to revisit it.
1
Perhaps John Kelly will engage in historical revisionism, his first book will be titled, "The Misunderstood Patriot: Robert E. Lee."
Good riddance to a man who actually championed the idea of separating children from their parents, even though under US law they are allowed to petition for asylum. Of over 2,300 children separated from their parents 245 have yet to be reunited. If anything as a fellow military officer, I view Kelly's service to Trump as a great disservice to American ideals.
If anything, Kelly should have resigned when Trump pardoned the actions of neo-Nazis in Charlottseville; utterly reprehensible.
530
@Zdude
If Kelly wanted to redeem himself, he'd go down to the southern border and help the poor children who are still separated from their parents.
Shame on these heartless people who have caused such lifelong trauma to these innocent children. It's stomach churning.
46
@Zdude
I can’t imagine why anyone would write such a book as those with real interest in the subject already recognize that Robert E. Lee was one of the greatest Americans who ever lived and as pure an America patriot as his father, “Light Horse Harry” Lee.
@KBronson
Of course you can't imagine why Robert E. Lee readily meets and exceeds the elements of an American traitor, the Lost Cause propaganda has been successful. The reality is facts are stubborn things, slavery was both wrong and immoral; blacks readily fought and died to earn their freedom and preserve our Union. Lee and his troops were traitors---plain and simple.
The immoral battle to disenfranchise blacks continues at the ballot box, with Georgia and North Carolina as examples. Read Grant's latest biography, he too was not impressed by Lee and he also recognized Lee's unwillingness to aid in reducing the terrorisim visited on blacks in the South post-Civil War.
14
Unfortunately, he sold his soul the devil. He leaves behind a tattered reputation, sullied by incompetence and racism.
I will not cry for this tin soldier. He will go on to earn a few dollars with book deals, talk show appearances, and conferences. He may even make a comeback as a lobbyist or board member, depending on the scandals left behind by donald's administration (sic).
Were he an honourable man, he would simply retire in shame and try to atone for his many sins.
7
The Trump Administration has a higher turnover rate than your average fast food restaurant.
13
This mean-spirited, racist man who turned out to be a true "empty barrel" in his enabling some of his boss's worst instincts will not be missed. If he ever was to be "the adult in the room," he would have resigned long ago.Instead, he was revealed as the small, petty Mini-Me to Donald Trump.
6
It’s an absolute joke that you need a Marines general to be chief of staff in the first place. What a hoot. It tells you that daily life must be very similar to warfare. The common thread in all these resignations is Trump. He is vacuous, morally-bankrupt and devoid of learning, analysis or reason. Anyone who seeks to ride their own promotion on the back of him and his apparatchiks, while the planet disintegrates, sadly has no integrity or value system whatsoever. To me they all hide in the same dark nest.
7
@The Oculist For a man who shirked his military responsibility, bone spurs trump decided to make up for it by hiring men with military backgrounds. Hopefully, like Flynn, Kelly will spill his guts out to Mr. Mueller, a man who volunteered to served his country honorably.
2
It would certainly seem that Gen. John Kelly is getting out of Dodge just ahead of the sheriff and his posse. General Kelly’s tenure as Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff has been distinguished by dishonesty and deceit and bitter, divisive rancor that was always race-based.
He could not be bothered, as a former field commander, to urge the president to respond in a compassionate manner to the widow of a soldier (La David Johnson) whose life was lost in Niger. The general then compounded his own glaring lack of condor by lying about a black Congresswoman in claiming that she bragged about taking credit for forcing the federal government to construct a new FBI office in Miami.
General Kelly refused to apologize for his remarks in defense of President Trump’s awkward handling of the situation (“absolutely not”) in the face of incontrovertible proof that Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) made no such statement.
He also, in the ugly aftermath of Charlottesville in 2017 and the Confederate statues, made this astonishing claim about Robert E. Lee: “an honorable man who gave up his country to fight for his state.” So a breakaway state was of far more valuable and honorable to the chief of staff than the young Republic? Was that taught at West Point? And he said, remarkably, that “the lack of an ability to compromise led to the Civil War.”
Perhaps Gen. Michael Flynn's vicissitudes are on Gen. Kelly's mind and he wants some distance between himself and his president when the dam bursts.
904
There is also the issue of Kelly being a hardliner on immigration. It is hard to imagine Kelly's role in the White House as a sacrifice when he got an ear for his own far right agenda. Frankly, Kelly exploited his role in the "adult day care center," as Bob Corker memorably put it. Kelly merits no sympathy after his own cynical maneuvering.
224
@Red Sox, '04, '07, '13, ‘18,
No, he's not running. He's just had it with his impossible boss; he had to know what he was getting when he went in: a thankless job and a besmirched reputation. In that sense, he was self-sacrificing. Granted, he also had real issues; Oprah Winfrey he's not.
FACT: It's an impossible job.
PREDICTION: The next person will be equally handicapped and unable to control our TV president. No hope therein lies.
35
@Red Sox, '04, '07, '13, ‘18,
I suggest that what Kelly displayed during his tenure at the White House are qualities, attitudes and behaviors that he has always had and exhibited over his lifetime. I suspect his reputation as some sort of Marine Corps hero is basically a myth. He is the man he has, in all likelihood, always been. No hero in my book.
131
This is what a 'CEO presidency' looks like? High turnover, low morale, constant infighting and power struggles? John Kelly is a deeply flawed individual, but honestly, no Chief of Staff can compensate for the dysfunction and ineptitude coming from the top. How can anyone not see Trump as a failed manager?
631
@NM
you still drawing unemployment?
@NM
I have always believed in smaller government. But lately I have been thanking history for giving us a DC bureaucracy. These folks show up every day and grind along doing the basic work of keeping the country running, even while the chaos, and ping ponging at the top makes coherent strategic direction impossible.
41
@NM
Trump was never a good CEO or businessperson. He was always a grifter and crook who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. And this was never a CEO presidency. It was always a grifter and crook presidency.
NM wrote:
"This is what a 'CEO presidency' looks like? …"
25
Changing deck chairs on the Titanic.
7
Considering Trump's recent pick for Ambassador to the U.N., my money's on Hannity to replace Kelly. Not even kidding.
5
Was it worth it General Kelly ?
Standing beside the lying cruel trump and completely ruining your respectable career ?
Insulting the widow of a war hero, and so many other misdeeds ?
General H. R. McMaster on the other hand .stood up to trump and Kelly .
4
John Kelly will require time to process his experience attempting to be the Chief of Staff at the Trump White House. At this point, trump is running his administration like his Mom & Pop real estate business in NYC. We are in big trouble until Trump resigns because family members will be indicted. Next up, Mike Pence!
Mister "You're fired!" has yet to actually fire anyone. He uses underlings like John Kelly to do the dirty work. The reason Kelly didn't leave earlier was because he couldn't fire himself. I think he gave Trump an out after hearing all the rumors Trump left with reporters and others about Kelly leaving. Kelly, to his credit, offered his resignation, and apparently, Trump accepted it.
What a phony Trump is and always has been.
1
Kelly must be asking himself, "was it worth it"? Reputations can be very hard burdens to carry; foolish to lose a distinguished one through association with a rotten third party.
Mr Trump reminds me of the English explorer in Africa, who awoke one morning to discover that all his porters had disappeared in the night.
He exclaimed "something must be wrong."
I had higher hopes for Kelly — that he would be able to keep the toddler-in-chief on a shorter leash and take some control of the West Wing. Ultimately Trump’s criminal mindset proved too overpowering for his chief of staff. Why he even accepted the position in the first place is beyond me. Now I fear Trump will appoint Jared or one of his criminal offspring to the post. Guess Kelly wants to stay for the big West Wing Christmas bonus. I’m sure he will look back on his tenure in this administration as the biggest mistake of his life.
2
I lost all respect for Kelly when he insulted the Congresswoman from Florida and refused to apologize for lying about her statements. He seems to have pretty much functioned as an enabler for Individual 1. Good riddance.
3
And another one bites the dust.
Nobody need worry that this Administration is losing its last standing adult because, with his mendacious and uncorrected excoriation of Congresswoman Frederica Williams, John Kelley demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt that he checked his adulthood at the door on the way into the White House.
Nobody the comes out the larger or nobler figure from association with this president who brings everyone down to his own fully-submerged level of grace.
2
But quite recently, when it was reported Kelly would be leaving, Trump insisted it was "fake news."
So, gee, I didn't see this coming at all.
So Trumpian to choose a wealthy political operative as a Chief of Staff. And a college drop out to boot.
1
Trump will be standing alone before long. Who will he blame for all his shortcomings?
1
Soon Trump's entire cabinet will be filled with people from reality television shows or Fox News. Trump understands that the more incompetent the people around him are, the better he looks by comparison.
2
When Kelly's appointment was announced, I was pleased. I thought if anyone could bring order to the White House and manage Mr. Trump, it would be him. From here on, I believe things will only get worse.
127
@Jacqueline Gauvin What are the great goals that you would like to be achieved more effectively? Caging kids? Caving in to the Russians? Erasing national monuments? Global warming? You hoped Kelly could help with all of that?
5
@Jacqueline Gauvin How foolish, his job is not to manage the president, but to manage the staff to get what the president wants done within their authority. Things are fine, and they probably will get better at least by the president's criteria which are all that count.
@Skinny hipster Caging kids was Obama. Who is caving to the Russians, lower oil prices hurt them. Erasing national monuments that were expanded too much by Obama. You are correct about the federal government not doing things that are not valuable, like climate change.
Whatever accounts for this latest leaving-resignation-disappearing, which may never be fully knowable in this daily created chaos by so many
“unaccountables,” at so many levels, is of less importance, and understanding, than acknowledging that each of US contributes by complacency and/or complicity to its toxic operations. Making a needed difference for equitable wellbeing for ALL, and a societal framework underpinned by sustainable menschlichkeit, graced with stabilizing mutual trust, respect, caring and help is not a mantra. Stepping forward, and not leaving is an option for each of US in our WE-THEY daily, enabling, violating culture.
Not BE coming resigned to infectious willful blindness, deafness and ignorance about what IS and should never have been enabled is a choice. Confronting the daily culture of personal unaccountability, by so many elected and selected policymakers, and not “disappearing” from the challenge to right what is wrong is both democracy’s gift, citizen’s responsibility and obligation. The temporary or more permanent, harmful words and deeds which are caused by, are associated with, or simply occur, from Trump’s choices, as President and as a person, can be viewed as opportunities for each of us, ourselves and with others to create sustainable differences which make a needed difference.
Kelly drank the Kool-Aid, every drop. Not an ounce of sympathy for him - if he had a shred of moral fiber he would have left after 30 days; instead he capitulated to it all and turned into another closed-mouth lackey. Pitiful.
4
Every time one of these slimy creatures slithers out of the swamp an even worse creature percolates up from the murky depths.
2
From what we know, John Kelly stayed on this job because he believed it was his duty to the country. He needed to protect society from a dangerously unstable chief executive. That sounds terribly cliche these days but how else to describe the situation? I'm waiting to read Kelly's memoir. Perhaps, once the new Mueller indictments indicated that Trump is heading towards impeachment and possible conviction, Kelly decided he had done what he had to do. He had absorbed the constant humiliation and outrage for so long, but now he must feel confident that the old man is on his way out.
93
@Yankelnevich
Hope you are correct.
9
Mot sure Kelly is leaving with confidence that Trump will soon be removed from office....sometimes, people just get exhausted on the job, and can no longer continue to serve a person they fundamentally disagree with on moral, idealistic and humanistic terms.
Best wishes, General Kelly, and thank you for your service to our country and for keeping us safe.
4
@Yankelnevich
" ... how else to describe the situation?"
How about this? He stayed on because he found in Trump a man after his own racist, misogynistic, deceitful, dishonorable, draconian heart.
He didn't serve Trump to save the country from him. He served Trump because he liked Trump's vision of America -- a white supremacist's paradise where minorities and women "know their place," like in the good old days.
Let's not dignify this man with imputations of honor. He showed himself a liar without the integrity to acknowledge and apologize for his lies when they were incontrovertibly exposed. He served an anti-democratic white supremacist autocrat because he's an authoritarian racist himself. Good riddance to him.
29
Probably another Fox employee in need of a job....
2
Victorina Morales, the Trump golf club housekeeper with extensive experience cleaning Trump's toilet, dusting his crystal golf trophies and scrubbing his boxer shorts, would be the most capable, principled person to fill this vacancy.
4
Hard to believe Kelly lasted so long. While I disagree with general Kelly's politics, I thank him for doing his best to keep our unhinged president in check.
7
How'd Kelly get so lucky??? Id bet this is his dream come true....the white house & the uber corrupt administration is about to go down in flames and he walks out the front door scott free and off the hook...he's definitely the smartest one in the room....his replacement will have shortest tour duty righ up there w Lt Gen Flynn...
2
Kushner never liked Kelly, so I am not surprised he is toast. I am sure at some point Trump will say he was useless and dumb as a rock.
6
President Pelosi will have her work cut out for her,
but she has the skills needed to turn the country
back in the right direction.
12
Is this where Trump meets his Waterloo?
Distinguished military officers have proven to be no match for a president that destroys the fabric of the Republic on a daily basis.
How do you provide guidance to someone that is morally bankrupt with knowledge or respect for events that have shaped our country?
The short answer is: You can't.
Trump may have met his Waterloo with Mueller's latest bombshell.
Kelly is out. The erosion of support of centrist Republicans is building.
Midterm elections, Mueller bombshells, Kelly departure...Trump is getting an up close and personal view of his Waterloo.
4
A 36 year old Kennesaw State drop out worth $54.8 million from his political "consulting" companies? Seems like mueller should be investigating him.
58
@JamesHK my thoughts exactly!
6
The GOP hoped Mr. Kelly would effectively govern Trump and bring some control to this helter-skelter White House. It didn't work out because Trump resists discipline and Kelly, as a Marine Corps general, is all about that. I seriously doubt Trump could hire anyone who could make this White House operate like a "well-oiled machine."
8
This makes me very uneasy. I had it in the back of my mind that General Kelly was always there to prevent great harm to the country. And now he is gone.
15
And so the wheel turns. With the recent plain speaking of former Secretary Tillerson, the filings yesterday of Mr. Mueller, and now the planned departure of General John Kelly, it is as plain as the nose on your face that the Chumpsky administration is doomed to surpass the three years of the Harding administration in corrupt activities and pervasive malfeasance. Reading this article's listing of folks to bring in off the bench to work for "he whose belief is all" surely cannot raise any thinking person's confidence in the way the U.S. Is currently headed.
12
I just can’t take all of this winning. He is like the Yankees of politics.
1
This retired Air Force officer often wondered how long the General would attempt to discipline this President at the expense of his own distinguished reputation. Duty, Honor, Country are the basic tenets that every officer pledges himself to and these are out of reach to this president. Not even a dedicated honorable individual like Kelly can teach him that.
8
I keep hearing from Trump supporters that they wanted a successful businessman to take care of government like a well run business. Sorry, but many business model that are successful have low turnover. We were taught in auditing class that high turnover is a risk red flag for upper management fraud. This President either has the poorest hiring practices or the tone at the top is a red flag that improprieties are likely.
6
“People leave,” Mr. Trump said at the time. “It’s a very exhausting job — although I love doing it, I must tell you — but it’s exhausting for a lot of people. I’m surprised that a lot of people, they start off, they’re young people. They’re there for two years, and they’re old by the time they leave.”
I read this three times and I still laughed.
43
@Bob
me too!
and they say The Don has no sense of humor ... go figure.
1
Welp, I have it on the authority of just having finished season 1 of West Wing, showing on Netflix. I saw it the first time around, thought I would like to watch again.
Clearly, Kelly was not really chief of staff material, actually. He is not a political operative. He is from the military. I think he did the best he was able. Trump needs a political operative and a friend in that seat (if West Wing is any indication--yeah, I know it was a drama, but it was so much more gratifying of a drama than the current one unfolding in real time).
Ok, what was I saying? Oh yeah, Trump needs a political operative and friend in that seat. I cannot imagine Trump having any friends, so, he will have to settle for a political operative.
And one that can bear the foolishness gracefully. Anyone? Anyone?
6
While historians will view Gen. Kelly as a figure of disgrace for enabling the corruption and treason of the Trump Administration, I suspect that he has probably saved the country from disasters that we will not know about for years to come. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has already revealed (as if we didn't already know) that Trump routinely tried to violate the law. Defense Secretary James Mattis told the Pentagon to ignore Trump's direct order to murder Syrian leader Assad. While we have already witnessed a panoply of crimes from Trump, Kelly probably has quite a story to tell about the ones that have not yet come to light.
14
Normally I would bemoan this sort of bookend for a decorated Marine, but it's puzzling. His controversial behavior seems to have only happened while working for Trump, were they products of his tenure there? Did he have just enough remorse to be unacceptable to Trump? What was the last straw?
1
While Kelly wasn't flawless, he seemed to be the only sane person in this administration. Unlike the pack of lapdogs surrounding our guy in the Oval Office, Kelly maintained his dignity and composure and seemed, in stark contrast to the other staff members, respected by mainstream media and members of congress. This merry-go-round of personnel changes has taken on all the madness of a Kafka story.
3
It's the Trump University model: graduate quickly but at a high cost (in morality, credibility, association with remarkably unsavory characters, occasional indictment) and the education is not worth much except for royalties from a book about how crummy the educational experience was.
2
Two former Marines who continued to serve their country after leaving the Corp, John Kelly and Robert Mueller, which has best exemplified the spirit of the Marine Corp and which will history recognize as making the greater contribution to this nation's welfare?
11
What about Mattis?
"It's an exhausting job--although I love doing it, I must tell you . . ."!? As far as we can tell, Mr. Trump, you are not doing it and you never have been doing it. We're aware by now, of course, that not a word you utter has any resemblance to the actual state of affairs. As revelations of corruption mount, more and more of the electorate will realize the degree to which they have been betrayed.
18
Wishing General Kelly all the best. Your sentence is up. It makes no difference who comes into the WH. They can be the most educated, experienced and be overall brilliant. They are not the problem. The problem is Mr. Trump. I can imagine working with him is a thankless and tiring job. You see, it's all about him. What he wants, thinks and does. Tantrums too. Listening to President Bush's speakers, people who knew him, worked with him is like the difference between night and day. Mr. Trump does not inspire loyalty in people rather the opposite. And I question why he continually takes people from other departments/divisions to replace people leaving. Surely there are other qualified people in the WH. He is playing musical chairs and that doesn't seem to create any sense of stability with the WH.
5
December 8, 2018
The duty of service to the U S Marine's vs the the Presidential Oval Office in obedience to a fake president Trump can only result in a reality check especially for such a high ranking leader as John Kelly. Sure this good effort to give it a go has resulted in enough is enough and so the raw meat of politics goes to the dogs and barks and bites remain for those that dare to Trump alignment all invariably in a trail of sorrows and casualties of giving all to America the great lead by a little man from Queens New York City that would have been better to rule in real estate properties for his career achievement rather that a foredooming impeachment - when the best of the best just can and will not stick around Trump camp fire of a lost historical song of Happy Times
jja - A Vietnam Vet U S Army 1967
3
I don't know why Trump has advisers. He said two years ago that he had one of the best minds in the world. Two weeks ago he declared his gut was better than most brilliant minds. Two years ago he also declared to know more about winning wars than our generals.
Why hire and fire with capabilities like that?
8
Trump appears to treat others as inferior to him, not just subordinate. His circle of advisors who have real knowledge and ethics shrinks on an almost daily basis. The swamp has thickened with cons and cheats, while Trump claims to know what he is doing.
2
So he's using the public purse to build a campaign team?
5
A college dropout with a dui to replace him? Doesn’t sound like the kind of guy DJT has ever respected, nor ever will respect. Maybe DJT now wants someone who is the opposite of General Kelly; that is, an empty vessel he can control, use, and throw...
4
Let's consider the position Trump is in now with a loss of legislative power for the next two years and what is now a very precarious position considering the current advancement of the Mueller Investigation. Why would anyone want to board a sinking ship at this point? Mr. Ayers can't be a genius in light of those facts.
3
Deep down, Donald Trump has very low self-esteem. He needs to be surrounded by people who tell him he's OK. We all know differently.
7
Why does when this happens does it always seem a warning of worse to come.
2
Congratulations to Mr. Kelly.....now he can sleep at night. Now he can look in a mirror and realize his own accomplishments again, prior to taking on an impossible job. And as it turns out, it would have been much more difficult to have had to look up the visiting hours at the the facility to visit Mr. Trump, Cohen and Manafort and the rest of the administration. Orange with black numbers is the new suit and red tie?
1
Seems like a great time to go to work for Trump.
Because it’s obvious that this White House is running like a well-oiled machine.
3
Another man once viewed as honorable has sullied himself in Trump’s swamp. How painfully ironic it must have been for Kelly to realize that marshaling Marines was a cakewalk compared to herding cats for a president who demands loyalty but gives none in return.
3
I wish General Kelly well, and thank him for generally doing his best during what had to have been a "We're not in Kansas anymore" experience, trying to keep our Toddler-In-Chief from going completely off the rails. Nevertheless, my respect for him and my willingness to characterize him as "the adult in the room" is tempered by his disgraceful 2017 attack on Florida Representative Frederica Wilson.
3
What worries me is that these people are leaving because they know Trump is planning to do something crazy, and they do not want to be associated with it.
5
Commenters here have listed a number of complaints about General Kelly, and most are valid, I'm sure. But let's look at some bigger issues. First, unlike most of President Trump's appointees he is a career public servant, who at age 68 could be sitting home relaxing. Instead, he takes on what's one of the toughest jobs in the country, because we must presume he felt he was in a unique position to help make it all work.
Second, I think he was somewhat successful. He brought some adult supervision to the White House, in a way I think few could. And if your reply to that is, "What are you talking about, the place has been a nut house!," wait until you see what it's like without him
With the little we know about Nick Ayers, the idea that he would be the person trying to keep order in the White House is absolutely scary. There's no reason to believe he can manage President Trump's evil and craziness in the way General Kelly did.
I'm grateful that General Kelly lasted as long as he did, and to now find he is leaving is bad news and very scary. We have 774 days until we get a new president, presuming that President Trump makes it that long. Let's hope we can somehow survive.
170
Kelly did not have to make the numerous comments about his being sympathetic to the Southern desire to maintain Slavery before the Civil War.
That inexcusable racism of Kelly finished him for me from the moment he uttered those words.
32
@UTBG I respectfully disagree. I am sure he made comments on matters he now regrets. But he was the adult in the room. We can only imagine the pressure he was under to cotton to 45's worst inclinations. Based on a few comments in light of the time he served I don't consider him a racist. Remember the press conference where he described the process of bringing his fallen Marine Corps son 2nd Lt. John Kelly back from a road side blast in Afghanastan. I do.
2
@Jerry Schulz: Now that Nick Ayers has not agreed to take the job, I predict no one will and Trump will be his own Chief of Staff.
1
How is it remotely possible that the President didn't have an actual replacement ready and willing? The Trump tango has gone on since the day Kelly started. Imagine: this is how he is running the country. Plans? He don't need no stinkin' plans. He can ruin the US one tantrum at a time.
Megalomania, with a dash of paranoia, drawing toadies, some hard line righties who plan to manipulate him, and some profoundly uncomfortable appointees who thought that they were brought in for their experience, only to find that they were to mirror his every mood and translate his outbursts.
Who he has as chief of staff: how much does this really matter?
99
How is it possible that he didn’t have a replacement, you ask? This is Donald Trump you’re talking about. He made the announcement on a Saturday. He has to wait until Monday morning to watch Fox and Friends to find out what his next move is.
10
I truly don't know if John Kelly's departure from the White House is a good move or a detrimental one for the Trump administration, as well as for the American citizen.
What I do know is that the people closest to Trump since his inauguration have left the White House for one reason or another. Some folks will say a constant and high turn over is normal at this level. I see it as an unstable, unsure, and unpredictable administration. People who believe in and support their commander in chief stay, especially when times get tough. They don't jump ship and look for better opportunities. One would think or assume the golden of all golden opportunities is working for a president in the White House.
26
@Marge Keller I’m sure that Rudy Guiliani will make a White House Chief-of-staff that will do justice to Trump's presidency. Go Rudy!
He could even serve as Trump's cell mate.
1
What's next for Kelly - lots of opportunities: Commentator on Fox News? Writing best--selling memoirs? The paid speaker circuit? Boards of directors for defense contractors? Time with Trump was an investment .He's no longer just another retired general - after his promotion to the rank of national celebrity.
215
@Harpo Working for Trump. he's practically defined himself out of existence as an honorable human being.
37
@Harpo General Kelly seems to be principled and a man of few words so I question whether he would kowtow to Fox. But many of these people take second and third jobs after leaving the military and the White House
4
@Harpo
Not so sure you're right. According to this article, Sean Spicer can't get a job:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/sean-spicer-jobs-tv-trump-white-house-struggling-find-employment-a7957746.html
Now Tucker Carlson seems like just another rat deserting the ship. Who will employ these people when the final Big Lies are revealed?
27
How many former Trump advisors, assistants, department heads and run of the mill workers are able to put the Trump Experience behind behind them and resume productive careers that don’t involve running a day care center as this Trump White House appears to be?
How many realize their efforts were possibly wasted as Trump appears to be in constant damage control.
Lastly, I laugh at Trump’s claim that his work is strenuous. I suppose many hours watching news programs can do that.
But, I wish Kelly well in his departure from Trump’s twilight zone.
56
@Dany My career WAS running a day care center. I will say that this. Once and awhile there would be a child who caused so much chaos and harm to others that we would conclude a different environment might be a better fit. In the Trump White House "daycare" there is such a child. Isn't it time, nay past time, that he be removed to an environment with a better fit for his capablilities and inclinations?
6
Is it bad that I thoroughly enjoy watching Trump destroy the lives, careers, and reputations of everyone around him? I particularly enjoy when Donnie publicly turns on them! Looking forward to the season finale starring Miss Jared!
125
@CD USA
Well these lives aren't actually destroyed especially considering the support group they'll have as they increase in number. It's like how HPV doesn't have much of a stigma because of how common it is. So it is with 45 and his supporters.
1
You may find it entertaining, but the problem is that this amusement comes at the expense of the country, which he is destroying daily. I don’t find that entertaining at all.
6
@CD USA uh, yes it is bad! Not only bad but mean. These people are like you and me. Many went into the WH just bursting with pride and wanting to do a good job and be of use to the country. Then they worked for awhile with Mr. Trump and it was over. Many just glad to get out. They have families too.
2
Get ready for more revelations of horrific incompetence and retaliatory mean tweets!!
66
Once considered an American hero and the only adult in the room. Now? An empty barrel, and complicit in the depravity.
549
How many grown-ups are left in the room now?
32
@Jeff L
Is that a rhetorical question?
@Jeff L
The same that are there with Kelly in the room.
None.
3
trump engenders such fear, loathing, and disgust in everyone around him that no one wants to work for him. Every alumni of this administration will be forever tainted with the stain of destroying the environment, stealing from the poor to give to the rich, and dividing Americans against one another. No one with integrity will serve a man so cruel as this.
203
@Casey Penk I spent a few decades working in the beltway. Pan handlers were common. Maybe once a week I would offer to pay for a meal for one. Most wanted hard cash, and turned the meal down. That is the reality of the poor. So I am not buying "stealing from the poor". Most people who are poor made all the wrong decisions in life, and now many of those people have the gall to demand things from those who sacrificed, who studied and worked hard.
1
@FedUp Most poor people are born in it. That was my case.Nobody seeks it out. People in all walks of life make bad decisions. Your comment is narrow, arrogant, and heartless.
19
Agree. Except maybe more of a stench than a stain. A stench no amount of air freshener will remove after a stay at Trump’s own particular swamp resort.
5
Good soldier, lost a son in military service. My heart breaks for him. That said if he really is a nativist or racist and said the number of people who should be allowed to immigrate into our country pre year should be one I am glad he will leave politics and perhaps reflect on what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
I guess Trump is not only a monster himself but he brings out that quality in other people. He really needs to go immediately.
68
@greg MIt-Yale did a joint study which shows we have between 22 and 30 million illegals in America today, other studies show typical number of children in the 4-5 range, and many of those children draw welfare which their illegal parents get to use as they see fit. These people cost us money and there will be no return on that money for at least twenty years.
@FedUp
... and from the same study
"You have the same number of crimes but now spread over twice as many people as was believed before, which right away means that the crime rate among undocumented immigrants is essentially half whatever was previously believed," said Kaplan.
2
@FedUp
Send them all home and who will do the work they are doing? Homegrowns? Hardly. Why not take a long term view and invest in those 4-5 year olds who will one day contribute . Or are they just the wrong colour?
3
So far the only person to escape the Trump Administration with any semblance of credibility or self-respect is Nikki Haley. All others, including General Kelly, leave having diminished their careers and brought their ethics, morals, and judgement into serious question.
Trump stains everything and everyone he comes into contact with. Why have people not learned that by now?
119
And maybe Rex Tillerson
1
Face facts, this is the younger generations’ world. No place for old soldiers anymore.
3
@John Doe, Trump is 72 years old. Of course he is not a soldier - he has those debilitating spurs.
3
@John Doe
I think you are correct. Its all about image, "takeaways," keeping things short and making everything easy to understand.
@John Doe You don't have a country for long unless you have soldiers. You don't get young soldiers unless you have old ones. And to pull this out of your path, he's not a soldier, he's a Marine.
A political operative as chief of staff- makes perfect sense to me. Trump sees his time in office as one long campaign anyway- waving from Air Force One, constant bombastic rallies- no governing- which I guess is a good thing since everything Trump touches turns to dreck!
52
He's often introduced in articles like this as 'retired Marine General,' which to some presumes a high standard for personal honesty and integrity. In reality, he's been nothing more than an willing and enthusiastic enabler for the most dishonest, mendacious and hypocritical person to every occupy the White House. The general deserved every humiliation and degradation that Trump laid on him.
332
Charming. Know what? The man served his country for a very long time, as best he could. You just be sure that you have more to show at his age, and a little more manners than those of the average Trumpist.
His only purpose may have been to write a book.
3
@Robert
Don't assume that anyone's motives for joining the service are any more honorable, patriotic or less than self-serving than anyone else's choices in life. They take risks but the lifers don't work for free and don't retire with nothing. Because he was in the military does not excuse his role in supporting dictators over democracy, imprisoning children and needlessly damaging our relationships with friends and allies in a troubled world.
12
Now that we've learned that Trump announces that former Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson is "as dumb as a rock," and that Trump, "couldn't fire him fast enough," how soon will John Kelly ( and Trump) be publicly embarrassed by a Twitter tongue lashing. By the way, please don't let The Donald know that these Twitter insults make him look worse in the public's eye than the recipient of the insults.
93
@Robert Fisher
Yes, the ultimate in projection — Trump describes himself perfectly in his insults to others.
His ego has no bounds. i've just heard on French TV that he's tweeted that the demonstrators in Paris today were chanting “We Want Trump“ in that they were celebrating his pull-out from the Paris climate accords, which couldn't be farther from the truth. His ignorance lacks definition, he's taken the concept of ignorance to a whole new level. BTW, Mr Trump, the French dislike you to the tune of about 80% against. C'est la vie…
13
Just don't understand how Michael Flynn and John Kelly are considered patriots? Out of spite for Obama, both of them joined Trump. Flynn for being fired and Kelly, because Obama did not visit his son graveside!!! Such spite. Childish behavior. These are specimen of people who put their ego before their duty to the nation and to democracy.
Here in MA we are very ashamed of John Kelly.
212
Gen. Kelly: We are still waiting for an apology from you to Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL, 24th district) who you brazenly attacked in defense of President Trump.
From CNN (10/30/17):
"When defending Trump in the wake of the feud, Kelly claimed Wilson had boasted of securing "$20 million" in federal funding to build a new FBI field office in Miami during the dedication ceremony for the building in 2015. He also called the congresswoman an empty barrel, saying her remarks focused more on her own actions than the heroism of the two FBI agents for whom the new building had been named."
Until you do, you dishonor the uniform you wear.
396
It sure would be if we actually had some kind of leader right now.
10
@Albert Ross
I'd also like an edit button or something but mostly I'd like competent states-people steering the ship of state.
1
Does a maxim featuring rodents and a disabled sea vessel come to mind?
64
Don't pack your bags too quickly, General — as an enabler of our incoherent and illiterate president, your subpoenas are nearly in the mail. Let's hope you kept a private diary to accurately remind you just how many times Trump suggested (or ordered) an illegal act or outright lie as a solution to one of his daily dilemmas.
164
@MCV207 The General would have needed a personal secretary/stenographer taking down every one of Trump's words, which would never have flown in the first place, for him to have kept up with the rate and timing of all the lies, attempted lies and transgressions we may not know until Mueller, (with info from the disgruntled, discharged and thus dislocated prior staffers) discloses to the Public Eye the Findings of his Investigations.
Good time to invest in popcorn and butter futures as well as salt mines!
2
@MCV207
No reason why he couldn't be complicit in obstruction of justice. Hard to believe he wasn't, just like the rest of them.
2
I'm sure we'll be hearing the opinions that Kelly served as an important check on Trump's worst instincts or that he sacrificed his reputation in order to protect the republic or that he was a valuable counterweight to Trump's most dangerous sycophants. I don't subscribe to any of that. I think Kelly was an ineffective, naive cipher and occasional irritant Trump will be happy to be rid of. What a way to cement your legacy - a lifetime of honorable military service eclipsed by a disgraceful two year tenure as wet nurse and chief bottom wiper to a deranged, infant gangster.
235
@gdurt
We don't know if Kelly had a lifetime of honorable military service. He may have gotten ahead because he was a white supremacist. He degrades our once heroic Marine Corps by propping up a petty, lying dictator, who was obviously a bad man when Kelly eagerly agreed to be his Chief of Staff.
I have no good words for Kelly. He was Accessory to Treason! I'm sorry he will be so well rewarded in retirement by book deals and Fox talks.
I hope John Kelly retrieves his discarded values and integrity when he leaves that den of vipers. He did nothing to curb Trump's degradation of the presidency; all he did was enable him. He and Mattis are an embarrassment to the military.
59
@Gardengirl, men with values and integrity don’t work for the likes of Trump.
2
David Brooks, Friday on the PBS News Hour: “...And so you see a Trump unprotected from himself...and Trump really hurting himself and maybe not serving out the term.”
So, Nick Ayers is “my man” (Trump, Friday tweet) because bringing Pence’s Chief of Staff up to speed in the Oval Office will be practical for Trump’s spring departure into permanent golfing.
So, of course, Ayers will stay beyond spring (as Trump wishes) because Pence will need that.
21
Looks like the last adult has left the building. Now, Trump is home alone (actually he's at the Army/Navy game) waiting for the folks in FBI windbreakers.
19
He leaves utterly diminished by his enabling of Trump.
122
Every organization is a reflection of it's leader. The White Castle does not have one. See what happens, over and over again, when the GOP makes a spoiled petulant part time Inn keeper and full time hustler POTUS ? Everyone, including a Four Star USMC General gets "slimed" !
22
How fitting among the Christmas directions I stumbled upon wandering around Barcelona today was a Trump caganer. Ironically, Donny Poo was sandwiched between Marine Le Pen and Kim Jong-un and Jesus. As someone who is no stranger to leaving mess behind, Trump's clay caricature looked very at home going number two. In essence, Mr. Kelly's job was to clean up after Trump or prevent accidents altogether.
10
@Hollis Pictures please!
Are there any adults left in the White House?
9
@The Lone Protester
Were there ever any "adults" in the room? This is a media invention to make us feel better. As far as I can tell no one was able to temper Trumps's worst instincts.
3
@The Lone Protester
Have there ever been?
3
Have there Ben any since 1/20/17?
"The leading candidate to replace Mr. Kelly is Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff and a Republican political operative...."
Old garbage out, new garbage in.
95
@george eliot
Well, that's not going to happen. And perhaps this Ayers bio explains: https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/nick-ayers-mike-pence/
Sorry to learn this. General Kelly has done his best to keep the White House staff functioning during the past year and half. I saw him briefly in the Mayflower Hotel last Wednesday night. He looked tired and hope he will have a wonderful Holiday season and enjoy his post White House years. America needs him for making our country a safe place to live. Trump will be difficult to find another Chief of Staff as calm and dependable as General Kelly.
64
@Mclean4
General Kelly calm and dependable?
He defended Trump's mishandling of a conversation to a Gold Star mother.
He misled about what his knowledge of Rob Porter's troubles.
He claims that the Civil War was due to a "lack of compromise", rather than slavery.
Stories in this very newspaper talk about his short temper.
I'm glad he's leaving. He lost all respect when he made faces rather than resigning over Trump's comments on the Charlottesville murder.
56
@Mclean4
True that!
3
@Mclean4
I needed a good laugh. Thanks.
18
I think we placed too much emphasis on the fact that Kelly was a retired General.
Many of the nation's 3-Stars aren't as bright as they are made out to be- in fact, many are grossly incompetent at what they do and know very little about global affairs and diplomacy.
81
Tht’s pretty hilarious, considering that the General has one MA in national security from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Services, and another one from the National Defense Institute.
Seriously, guys, not a big fan of Kelly’s, let alone his odious boss. Just not willing to wave bye-bye to the planet just yet.
3
@Robert
Academic degrees only mean that the person who received them was able to get the passing grades needed to obtain them. The don't automatically confer competence or a broader intelligence beyond knowledge needed to pass the exams.
4
When John Kelly blasted Representative Frederick Wilson for listening to a phone call from Trump to Sgt. Johnson’s family, a soldier killed in Niger, I lost any respect I formerly had for Kelly. Trump told the widow of Sgt. Johnson “he knew what he was getting into” and Kelly thought that not only was appropriate, he thought it was fine, even presidential.
Kelly was used, abused, and spit out by Trump, just like many others. Did he really think he was better than the rest? Why? He allowed it to happen, he stayed when he should have had some self honor and should have left a long time ago.
It’ll be interesting to see how history views Kelly. Personally, chalk it up as one more failure in the long line of departures. But then, who could stand to work for such dishonor to the presidency and the country - and why would anyone want to?
Guessing the old adage stands in this White House scene - “denial is not just a river in Egypt!”
64
There is nothing typical about Trump or this WH. Most of the departing staff will have a stain on their reputation after Trump.
But that is as it should be for anyone with their eyes and ears open when they take the job. Kelly seemed to be constantly leaving so perhaps it is good that it happens now. The pressure is increasing every hour in the WH as Trump feels the pressure from the creeping investigation of Muller. It probably will not end early or well for Trump.
17
Why do people who have done well in other areas of government sign up with Donald Trump, knowing that he is a very self-centered, seat-of-the-pants individual with no patience for orderly procedure and no interest in history?
Do they not realize that loyalty is a one-way street with Trump, who demands loyalty, but gives none to his subordinates?
Is it ideology, and do people like retired General John Kelly share some of the anti-immigration biases of Donald Trump and want to be sure those nativist interests are implemented effectively?
Do people like John Kelly believe that diplomacy is ineffective and prefer, like Trump, to threaten adversaries and allies with dire consequences to achieve strategic goals?
Does John Kelly have an ego as large as Donald Trump’s and did he believe that he, John Kelly, was uniquely suited to stand between Trump and utter chaos?
Or, did John Kelly, plain and simple, need a well-paying job and realize that he was unqualified to do much of anything in the private sector?
Whatever the reason(s) for the departure of John Kelly from the White House, the American people have more important things to occupy our thoughts.
22
@sdw The best "who have done well in other areas of government" have resigned; most of them long ago. Others of better or at least equivalent experience have turned down offers from the WH.
Trump started with an administration filled with 8th and 9th choices, or worse (e.g. Scott Pruitt). Now he's down to hiring maybe 55th or even 75th choices - because everyone knows working for this WH is a one-way ticket to shame and degradation.
6
@JohnB.
Good comment. You raise an interesting point, JohnB. We don’t know much about any qualified people turning down Donald Trump’s invitations to join his administration. He, of course, would deny it, and point to Mitt Romney’s embarrassing, bended-knee visit to Trump Tower in search of a job. We do know that Trump has had little luck getting A-List entertainers just to attend White House galas.
2
Kelly leaves diminished by his time in proximity to the moral black hole that is Trump. He might be able to redeem some of his integrity by telling all to Mueller and the American people about what is happening to our democracy and institutions under the ongoing assault of Trump and his enablers. Country first, Gen. Kelly!
52
HELP WANTED
Experience: significant TV air time, preferably on Fox News, game shows or “reality” shows
Required skills: Sycophancy, height above average (but shorter than boss), ability to talk out of both sides of mouth
Nice to have: demonstrated experience with “hide the papers”
154
@Lauren Noll
You forgot -
Able to think 'creatively' - aka lie
If these disgraced cabinet members had any spine between them, they could put a stop to all of this. But they don’t and they won’t.
26
“Let all the poison that lurks in the mud, hatch out.”
- Robert Graves, 'I, Claudius'
35
I guess they’ll have to find a new snake to hold the toddler-in-chiefs hand, explain how a bill becomes a law, and pretend he has any personal dignity left.
Hannity, are you available?
37
Where o where have the generals gone? McMaster flew the coop. Kelly helped cover up the coup. Maybe some are now headed for jail? Flynn depends on the sweetness of the song he has been singing. Mueller wants to chat with Kelly. Only Mattis remains.
19
Another one bites the dust. Trump has made himself toxic to all who enter his orbit. Ultimately he will die, bitter and alone, surrounded only by those who he pays to feign distress at his loss.
54
@Seth in OzNo, his children will come to his funeral--assuming the warden will give them furloughs so they can attend.
6
@Seth in Oz: I disagree. Trump will be surrounded at his death by those who expect to inherit. That's also the reason they stick around now, in the hopes they are in the will.
2
@SML I count his children as among ‘those that he pays’!
4
Mattis is also in trouble from serving the "I am the one" chief. But, there is a new motto: Jail to the Chief.
33
It's too late for Kelly. His reputation is shot. He might as well stay. He has failed to bring any measure of decency, sanity and smarts to this White House. He told the nation racist lies about a black member of Congress. He has, for instance, promoted and implemented inhumane and racist immigration policies that have no basis in facts or reality. He has daily acted on behalf of the lies, racism and fear of Mr. Trump. He has put himself at the beck and call of the lies, hate and fear. He should have resigned ages ago. Indeed, he should never have accepted the position.
102
@Robert
Kelly's statements about the Civil War were telling. These were remarkably ignorant. They were also deeply troubling, due to the affectionate bond between Trump and the American right wing neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Kelly said, for instance, "the lack of an ability to compromise led to the Civil War." Who is the real Kelly?
1
Anthony Scaramucci is available.
15
The humiliating scene of General John Kelly being subjected to a career wind-up meeting in which the likes of 36 year old, "political operative" Nick Ayers joined in delivering his final marching orders makes one cringe with shame and embarrassment. Now General, on to the blockbuster book deal. Too bad the title "Gone With the Wind" has been taken.
385
@Jerry Farnsworth
So when is Trump going to dump Pence tand ask Nikki Hailey to run as his VP with him on the 2020 ticket?
8
@JM
General Kelly is responsible for the harm to his own reputation - not President Trump. Kelly put hatred of women, hatred of African Americans and other ethnic groups, love of the Confederacy and Robert E. Lee, and allegiance to the Far Right Tea Party above his oath of office and duties as a retired general. He samed himself by his actions and his words. He couldn't even get his facts straight. He went to meetings and sat there like a sullen pout - move like a 2 year old than a distinguished former serviceman. Same on him. If this is an example of a military hero, what are the bad ones like?
21
This was expected--indeed, has been expected for months--and should not distract from the fact that the president was IMPLICATED IN TWO FELONIES YESTERDAY.
644
@M. Grove 'Ayers has told Trump that he would serve on an interim basis . . . , but Trump wants a full-time replacement and is eager for Mr. Ayers to stay for the duration.'
That may not be a problem Donald. Looks like your 'duration' will be shorter than you think.
27
If you lie with dogs, you get up with fleas.
Predictably, the conman so-called president chose to surround himself with established amoral yes-men willing and often eager to undertake his nefarious bidding. There were a few who entered his administration with solid reputations and a history of ethical behavior and service to the country. General Kelly was one.
How naive Kelly must have been to believe that he could continue to behave honorably and ethically while serving a rogue administration lacking even the most basic honesty and integrity. His complicity has destroyed his reputation and reduced a proud soldier to a shell of his former self as he leaves stained with the indelible stench of the swamp that he inhabited.
337
@D. Ben Moshe I like the flea analogy. But my Golden does not have fleas and I would never allow her to lie down with anyone associated with the Grifter -in-Chief
2
Well that went well.
168
One almost feels sorry for John Kelly until you realize he did it to himself. He went to work for a man unqualified to clean the latrines. I shed no tears for you Mr. Kelly.
579
@N8t, his Trump tenure proved he was racist, opportunistic, and deliberately blind.
5
I dread the next corrupt crony crawling out of the wood work to be appointed by Trump. I'm sure Trump is shopping the Faux News Network staff for the next "very smart, very talented, quick learner" to help in his drive to run our country off the cliff.
192
And so, the last adult leaves the White House.
42
@Glevine, Maybe not. I've read the White House Chef is very competent.
9
@Glevine, adult?? Really? I beg to differ.
He was an opportunist, just like the rest of them.
9
Now taking bets on how long it takes for Trump to start taking Kelly apart on Twitter. /- 3 months.
51
@Dan Way too long, Dan. Have you noticed that the time between someone leaving 45 and 45 trashing him/her keeps getting incrementally shorter the closer the president gets to the precipice?
8
@Dan over/under: 3 weeks...
5
You're kidding, right ??? I'll give it until NEXT weekend.
Seriously.
12
The question is why did he take the job in the first place? I've never seen anyone who looked so unhappy with his position.
83
General Kelly - unwisely - took-on "Mission Impossible", perhaps hoping that the ending would reflect what typically happened in that particular TV series.
Instead - predictably - he got the ending from "The Apprentice".
And now, he faces the abuse that this mercurial, unstable, unworthy President all too frequently heaps on Generals, Admirals, and former U.S. Navy Pilots...
51
@Ireland's Eye Not to mention the "lazy" former head of one of the world's largest companies.
1
What does it say about Trump's own behavior that even Kelly's military discipline can't bring the White House under control?
107
@NM
Military discipline usually comes from the NCOs, Generals are above the fray. Please remember the Peter Principle and Parkinson's law when thinking od generals
4
@NM: There is no military discipline without military courtesy. Kelly sacrificed such, and his entire bank of dignity, when he signed on with the dayglo orange jabberwock.
1
John Kelly is another former General who as a cabinet member has completely disgraced himself. He has proved himself to be an inveterate liar with an inconsistent grip on reality.
428
@David Binko
Please see previous comment re Peter Principle
1
I respect and honor John Kelly's service while in uniform for forty years. His time working for Trump sullies his reputation somewhat but do believe he thought he was helping his country. The man surely the deserves the long, hot shower it will take to wash off the stench of this White House.
33
Sadly, General Kelly and General Flynn have tarnished the military by standing alongside a President that values money over country. The people Trump shows loyalty to are despots, Putin chief among them. He cares not our environment, our natural resources, our workers nor for minorities. While it is not fair to paint these two as racist, the fact that they have stood alongside a man who has racist policies makes you wonder. I wish both men well, but can no longer respect either.
908
@Frost
Where were the Generals when troops were ordered to the border as a political stunt?
119
@Frost. Where were the generals on the family separation policy on the Southern border? Hint leading the charge
57
@Frost
It actually is very fair to paint Kelly as a racist, his unfounded, distorted attack on Congresswoman Frederica Wilson reeked of racism. He never apologized for his lies about her conduct even though his claims about her were proven wrong by video of the incident. He kept calling her an "empty barrel" which seemed more like projection of his own guilt just like trump.
94
John Kelly came in with trumpets blaring, military general would save the day. He turned out to be as racist as his boss. He put his aide, the incompetent Kristjen Nielsen, in charge of HSD, arguably the most important department we have so he likely had a hand in all the disastrous decisions at the border.
He kept his reputation only because his boss was so much worse but ultimately only his massive ego was left.
254
@Kathy, Marine generals ought to take an oath of truth honor integrity, John Kelly displayed none of these. In fact he is a traitor to the country, for lying on behalf of his master, instead of putting country first.
2
I hope that John Kelly can salvage something of his own integrity after this stint working for Donald Trump. I would have thought better of him as a career Army officer if he hadn't taken on the White House chief of staff role given his clear disdain for Trump. Maybe his time in the White House will turn out to be lucrative for him as he will now be in greater demand as a speaker and/or consultant.
29
@Mary Chapman - I would have thought more of your comment if you had known that General Kelly spent his Military career serving/leading the United States MARINE CORPS, not the US Army.
7
@Mary Chapman When Kelly referred to Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (who was telling the truth about Trump's insensitive call to a grieving widow) as an "empty barrel," that was it for me. He is just as bad as Trump, despite his military accolades.
11
@LouAZ Good point. As a civilian, I (obviously incorrectly) lump too much under the term "Army." I should have said "Armed forces officer" or simply "career officer."
5
I am looking forward to reading General Kelly’s forthcoming tell-all assessment of his time in the White House in which he strenuously and repeatedly urges Trump to resign.
Rumor has it that his book will be called “My Struggle For The Soul Of America” and will be promoted at Amazon as science fiction.
187
@A. Stanton
What would be in his tell all book I wonder, I lost respect for General jelly for several reasons, The general stayed too long and made some racial remarks plus other things.
I won`t be reading his book hope he could regain his reputation over the years.
6
... a science fiction thriller.
4
@B.Sharp I’ll bet that his racist tendencies are rampant thruout the 0-7 and above ranks but no one will ever be able to prove it
4