Trump pushes out Priebus, names DHS’ Kelly White House chief of staff

July 28, 2017 5:42 pm

By: The Associated Press

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The man President Donald Trump is putting in charge of his White House staff brings a military bearing to the job.

Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly is a battle-hardened veteran of three tours in Iraq. He’s leaving his job as secretary of Homeland Security to replace Reince Priebus, and is expected to bring a background of military discipline and order to his new duties.

Trump tweeted that Kelly "has been a true star of my administration.”

As Homeland Security secretary, Kelly took the lead on some of Trump’s most controversial policies. They include Trump’s executive orders suspending the admission of refugees and temporarily barring visitors from several Muslim-majority nations.

Kelly has stood up to Congress, another facet of his history that Trump might find attractive.

In April, he challenged lawmakers critical of the aggressive approach to immigration enforcement to either change the laws or "shut up.”

Kelly retired in 2016 as head of U.S. Southern Command before joining the Trump Cabinet. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan.

Priebus said he offered his resignation after Trump indicated he wanted to go in a different direction. He calls Kelly a "brilliant pick” and says he himself remains a Trump fan.

This story includes information from other Associated Press wire stories.