John Kelly's White House Exit Seen as Certain; Ayers May Get Job
- President isn’t expected to force out retired Marine general
- Nick Ayers, Pence chief of staff, disliked by some advisers
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White House advisers believe that chief of staff John Kelly could depart at any moment and that President Donald Trump may replace him with the vice president’s top aide, Nick Ayers.
Trump has made it known that he will not force Kelly out but is prepared to let him leave in his own time, people familiar with the situation said. Some think Kelly’s departure may come quickly, though it could also slip until after the holidays, these people said. Kelly wasn’t seen at the White House during the day on Friday, but did attend a senior staff dinner in the evening, one of the people said. Kelly did not make an announcement about his plans, and Trump, in his remarks at the gathering, was very gracious to him, the person said.