Trump's new chief of staff takes over a White House in chaos

<p>President Donald Trump's new chief of staff is entering a West Wing battered by crisis.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 31, 2017, 10:06 AM

Updated 2,451 days ago

Share:

(AP) - President Donald Trump's new chief of staff is entering a West Wing battered by crisis.
Retired Gen. John Kelly, previously the Homeland Security secretary, takes over Monday from the ousted Reince Priebus. Trump hopes Kelly can bring some military order to an administration weighed down by a stalled legislative agenda, a cabal of infighting West Wing aides and a stack of investigations.
Still, Kelly's success in a chaotic White House will depend on how much authority he is granted and whether Trump's dueling aides will put aside their rivalries to work together. Also unclear is whether a new chief of staff will have any influence over the president's social media histrionics.
Former Trump campaign manager Cory Lewandowski, who was ousted from the campaign in June 2016, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he expected Kelly would "restore order to the staff" but also stressed that Trump was unlikely to change his style.
"I say you have to let Trump be Trump. That is what has made him successful over the last 30 years. That is what the American people voted for," Lewandowski said. "And anybody who thinks they're going to change Donald Trump doesn't know Donald Trump."
Kelly's start follows a tumultuous week, marked by a profane tirade from the new communications director, Trump's continued attacks on his attorney general and the failed effort by Senate Republicans to overhaul the nation's health care law.
In addition to strain in the West Wing and with Congress, Kelly starts his new job as tensions escalate with North Korea. The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea, following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. The U.S. also said it conducted a successful test of a missile defense system located in Alaska.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that she hopes Kelly can "be effective," and "begin some very serious negotiation with the North and stop this program."
Another diplomatic fissure opened Sunday when Russian President Vladimir Putin said the U.S. would have to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by several hundred under new sanctions from Moscow. In a television interview, Putin indicated the cutback was retaliation for new sanctions in a bill passed by Congress and sent to Trump.
Trump plans to sign the measure into law, the White House has said. After Putin's remarks, the State Department deemed the cutbacks "a regrettable and uncalled for act" and said officials would assess the impact and how to respond to it.
While Trump is trying to refresh his team, he signaled that he does not want to give up the fight on health care. On Twitter Sunday, he said: "Don't give up Republican Senators, the World is watching: Repeal & Replace."
The protracted health care fight has slowed Trump's other policy goals, including a tax overhaul and infrastructure investment. But Trump aides made clear that the president still wanted to see action on health care. White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said on CNN's "State of the Union," that senators "need to stay, they need to work, they need to pass something."
Asked if nothing should be voted on in Congress until the Senate votes again on health care, Mulvaney said: "well, think - yes. And I think what you're seeing there is the president simply reflecting the mood of the people."
On Saturday, Trump threatened to end required payments to insurance companies unless lawmakers repeal and replace the Obama-era health care law. He tweeted that if "a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!"
The payments reduce deductibles and co-payments for consumers with modest incomes. Trump has guaranteed the payments through July, but has not made a commitment going forward.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on "Fox News Sunday" that Trump would make a decision on the payments this week.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who opposed the efforts to move a health bill forward this week, said on CNN that cutting the payments would "be detrimental to some of the most vulnerable citizens" and that the threat has "contributed to the instability in the insurance market."
The House has begun a five-week recess, while the Senate is scheduled to work two more weeks before a summer break.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


More from News 12
2:28
Stamford woman’s family reunited with class ring from 1946

Stamford woman’s family reunited with class ring from 1946

1:25
Sunny and warm in Connecticut; Wednesday will be cool and rainy

Sunny and warm in Connecticut; Wednesday will be cool and rainy

0:17
Stratford Police close Short Beach Monday due to unruly youths

Stratford Police close Short Beach Monday due to unruly youths

0:37
Trumbull man who rammed police cruisers, sold drugs gets 8 years in prison

Trumbull man who rammed police cruisers, sold drugs gets 8 years in prison

2:59
Bridgeport residents vow to fight back evictions after an out-of-state developer buys multiple properties on the East Side

Bridgeport residents vow to fight back evictions after an out-of-state developer buys multiple properties on the East Side

0:21
Wilton police: Man arrested for impersonating an FBI agent

Wilton police: Man arrested for impersonating an FBI agent

2:41
Fourth generation owners lean on tradition to lead Currie’s Tires to 95 years

Fourth generation owners lean on tradition to lead Currie’s Tires to 95 years

3:22
Made In Connecticut: Amodex in Bridgeport has been cleaning up for over 65 years

Made In Connecticut: Amodex in Bridgeport has been cleaning up for over 65 years

0:21
Sally's Apizza is making its way to Norwalk later this year

Sally's Apizza is making its way to Norwalk later this year

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

1:49
Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: CT DOT shares roadway tips and safety measures

Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: CT DOT shares roadway tips and safety measures

2:05
Gov. Lamont pushes for more solar panels on schools

Gov. Lamont pushes for more solar panels on schools

1:51
Last minute tips to file your tax returns as deadline looms

Last minute tips to file your tax returns as deadline looms

0:58
Jackie Robinson Day: Former Dodger Bobby Valentine reflects on athlete and activist

Jackie Robinson Day: Former Dodger Bobby Valentine reflects on athlete and activist

0:22
Connecticut police departments increase patrols around religious sites following aerial attack on Israel

Connecticut police departments increase patrols around religious sites following aerial attack on Israel

0:30
John Solomon, former Easton police chief and veteran, dies at 82

John Solomon, former Easton police chief and veteran, dies at 82

0:15
Fairfield PD: Man faces attempted murder charge, stabbed partner during domestic dispute

Fairfield PD: Man faces attempted murder charge, stabbed partner during domestic dispute

0:31
New data shows 7% of Fairfield County residents under 65 don't have health insurance

New data shows 7% of Fairfield County residents under 65 don't have health insurance

1:47
Food labels can sometimes be misleading. Kane In Your Corner explains what to look out for.

Food labels can sometimes be misleading. Kane In Your Corner explains what to look out for.

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout