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Trump names new acting chief of staff | Trump names new acting chief of staff |
(about 11 hours later) | |
US President Donald Trump has named Mick Mulvaney, the director of the office of management and budget, as acting White House chief of staff. | US President Donald Trump has named Mick Mulvaney, the director of the office of management and budget, as acting White House chief of staff. |
Mr Mulvaney, 51, replaces General John Kelly, who is leaving by the end of the year. | Mr Mulvaney, 51, replaces General John Kelly, who is leaving by the end of the year. |
In a tweet, Mr Trump described Mr Kelly as a "great patriot", who had served the country with distinction. | In a tweet, Mr Trump described Mr Kelly as a "great patriot", who had served the country with distinction. |
But earlier this year, General Kelly was forced to deny he had called Mr Trump an "idiot". | But earlier this year, General Kelly was forced to deny he had called Mr Trump an "idiot". |
This came after the quote was included in a book about Mr Trump by the veteran investigative journalist Bob Woodward. | This came after the quote was included in a book about Mr Trump by the veteran investigative journalist Bob Woodward. |
Gen Kelly is said to have used the description repeatedly and also allegedly said that "it's pointless to try to convince him [Donald Trump] of anything". | Gen Kelly is said to have used the description repeatedly and also allegedly said that "it's pointless to try to convince him [Donald Trump] of anything". |
What about Trump's announcement? | What about Trump's announcement? |
The president said that Mr Mulvaney "has done an outstanding job while in the administration". | The president said that Mr Mulvaney "has done an outstanding job while in the administration". |
"I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" he tweeted. | "I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" he tweeted. |
In a tweet, Mr Mulvaney said the appointment was "a tremendous honour". | |
"I look forward to working with the president and the entire team. It's going to be a great 2019," he wrote. | |
Friday's announcement ends days of speculation about the new White House chief of staff - one of the most prestigious jobs in Washington. | Friday's announcement ends days of speculation about the new White House chief of staff - one of the most prestigious jobs in Washington. |
While the president has the final say on policy, the chief of staff wields incredible informal power and influence, the BBC's Anthony Zurcher in Washington says. | While the president has the final say on policy, the chief of staff wields incredible informal power and influence, the BBC's Anthony Zurcher in Washington says. |
Mr Trump's reported first choice for the post, Nick Ayers, made it clear last weekend that he did not want the post. | |
Who is Mick Mulvaney? | |
The former South Carolina state senator and Congressman first gained attention as a founder member of the staunchly conservative House Freedom Caucus voting bloc. In Congress he opposed the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, and gun control. | |
He currently leads the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which assists the president in meeting policy and budget objectives. | |
Last year, Mr Trump also named him as acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which he ran simultaneously with the OMB until earlier this month. |