President Donald Trump talks with reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 9:51 AM PT — Fri. March 16, 2018
As President Trump continues to push his ‘America first’ agenda, his allies reportedly hope more staff changes come to the White House so his policies can be implemented.
As he works to surround himself with people who support his agenda, President Trump says media reports on staff changes at the White House are exaggerated, but hints there could still be shakeup.
On Thursday, the president said after a year in Washington he’s met new people and wants to bring in new ideas to the White House.
Rumors have circulated everyone from Ben Carson to Ryan Zinke could be pushed out. This comes after a week in which the White House experienced a lot of change.
Top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned over President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariff’s. He was replaced with Larry Kudlow, who President Trump said “is going to be outstanding as economic adviser.”
Many fiscal Conservatives are praising the move, and are happy for the change in the West Wing.
On Tuesday, the president announced CIA Director Mike Pompeo would replace Rex Tillerson as head of the State Department, and Gina Haspel became the first woman to head the Central Intelligence Agency.
Chief of Staff John Kelly has also forced out dozens of staffers who were unable to pass background checks. Most recently, Johnny McEntee was reportedly escorted off White House grounds over the issue and is now taking a position on the president’s campaign team.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Sanders answered questions about Russia, tariffs and other topics. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Despite the recent staff shakeup, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders assured this is not a sign of chaos in the West Wing, but rather President Trump making sure he’s surrounded by the best people.
Some of the president’s allies hope the exit of Tillerson means the president will get rid of other aides he has reportedly clashed with, including Veterans Affairs Director David Shulkin.
Secretary Sanders declined to endorse Shulkin’s accomplishments at the VA on Thursday. The inspector general of the Interior Department issued a blistering report, detailing expensive travel by Shulkin and his wife on the taxpayer’s dime as well as mismanagement at the DCVA.
Another top aide reportedly on thin ICE is National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who may be moved back to the military and out of the White House as tensions with the president reportedly escalate.
As President Trump looks toward a second term, he must decide what staff will best support his administration in the West Wing and who will benefit Americans nationwide.