White House Denies Report That John Kelly’s ‘Willing to Resign’ Amid Rob Porter Scandal
Much of the reporting about the internal White House drama over Rob Porter has concerned Chief of Staff John Kelly, and now there’s a report saying he told President Trump he’s willing to resign.
Kelly initially put out a statement defending Porter before he resigned Wednesday, following allegations from two ex-wives of domestic abuse.
Per multiple reports, President Trump has been frustrated about this whole thing, and even apparently called Kelly’s predecessor, Reince Priebus, to gripe about him. (Priebus has since denied that report.)
A new report this afternoon from ABC News says Trump is speaking to people about replacing Kelly. People apparently being considered include Gary Cohn, OMB Director Mick Mulvaney, and Congressman Mark Meadows. Trump ally Tom Barrack was approached too but he reportedly isn’t interested.
But it also turns out that Kelly may have told the President he is willing to resign:
Kelly has made clear to the president in the last 24 hours that he’s willing to resign in light of the president’s dissatisfaction over the West Wing’s handling of the allegations against former Staff Secretary Rob Porter, according to sources who have spoken with Trump and Kelly.
However, the White House is denying this:
At the WH, deputy press sec Hogan Gidley responds to story telling reporters: "General Kelly has not offered his resignation to the President."@ABC did not report Kelly offered his resignation. https://t.co/4V4oEx6jCF
— Alex Mallin (@alex_mallin) February 9, 2018
JUST IN: Chief of Staff Kelly has not offered his resignation to the president, per White House spokesperson
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) February 9, 2018
[image via screengrab]
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