WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is getting closer to his big turmoil on Friday at the White House, preparing to face the double challenge of fighting for re-election and conducting Democrats' investigations once it's over. they will have taken control of their country. the House. The most important point of this changing picture is that the departure of Chief of Staff John Kelly now seems certain.
Trump announced that he was choosing a new US Attorney General and a new ambassador to the United Nations. The White House will strengthen its 2020 campaign. But the biggest changes were yet to come. The replacement of Kelly in the coming weeks should have repercussions on all the administration.
According to nearly a dozen civil servants and former administration officials and outside confidants, Trump is almost ready to replace Kelly and has even started asking people to contact the One. long regarded man as his potential successor.
"Give Nick a call," said Trump, referring to Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, Nick Ayers, according to someone familiar with the discussions.
Among the interviewees, the person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues regarding staff.
Trump did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction with the team he had chosen and weighed all sorts of changes in recent months. He postponed some of the biggest mutations until after the November elections under the impetus of his advisers, who worried that his record business figure just before the vote would hurt him. the chances of his party in elections.
Now, almost a month after these elections, in which his party had ceded control of the House to the Democrats but expanded its slim majority in the Senate, Trump was beginning to take initiatives.
He announced Friday the appointment of William Barr, Attorney General of President George HW. Bush, the same role in his administration. If confirmed, Barr will fill the vacancy left by Jeff Sessions, who was unceremoniously dropped by Trump last month for his ongoing resentment of recusing himself for overseeing the Trump-Russia investigation. Special advocate Robert Mueller.
Sessions were exiled less than 24 hours after the ballot. closed. But Trump's broader efforts to reorganize his inner circle were suspended, which caused a feeling of near-paralysis in the building, people not knowing what to do.
Trump also announced that State Department spokesman Heather Nauert would be her choice. will replace Nikki Haley as the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and he announced that he would make another announcement on Saturday about senior army officers.
All of this happened the same day Trump's re-election campaign announced that two veterans of the White House's political director, Bill Stepien, and the director of the public liaison office, Justin Clark, were leaving. Administration to prepare for Trump's reelection campaign.
"It's now the best opportunity to focus on the laser on strengthening the political infrastructure that will support the victory of President Trump and the GOP in 2020," said campaign director Brad Parscale, in a statement.
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2018 Wh ite House Christmas Decorations
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Christmas decorations are visible at the White House during a glimpse of the 2018 Holiday Decor at Washington, DC, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit to read NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
Topiary trees line the East colonnade at the screening of the 2018 Christmas press at the White House in Washington, Monday, November 26, 2018. Christmas has arrived at the White House. The first lady, Melania Trump, unveiled Monday the decor of the holidays of the White House for 2018. She designed the decor, which has the theme "The American treasures". (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Wearing the "Be Best" initiative of Melania Trump's First Lady, the Red Room is decorated to "celebrate the kids through the backdrop, which shows ways in which children can excel their own way "at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House during a glimpse of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, DC on November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Wearing the "Be Best" initiative of the first lady of Melania Trump, the red room is decorated to "celebrate the Children across the Scenery, which shows the ways in which children can excel in their own way "at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC The theme of the White House Holiday Decorations for 2018 is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the country's unique heritage The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of the main American cities, the Gold Star family tree and the national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
An ornament with an image of President George Washington is seen at the 2018 Christmas Preview at the White House in Washington on Monday, November 26, 2018. Christmas is arrived at the White House in 2018, the first lady, Melania Trump, unveiled the decor of the holidays. She designed the set, whose theme is "The American Treasures". (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)
A pencil crown "Be Best" is seen in the red room at a Christmas 2018 vernissage at the White House in Washington on Monday, November 26, 2018. Christmas has arrived at the White House for 2018 as the first lady, Melania Trump unveiled the holiday decor. She designed the set, whose theme is "The American Treasures". (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Wearing the "Be Best" initiative of Melania Trump's First Lady, the Red Room is decorated to "celebrate the kids through the backdrop, which shows the ways in which children can excel their own way "at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Wearing the "Be Best" initiative of Melania Trump's first lady, the red room is decorated to "celebrate children through the decor, which presents excel in their own way "at the White House November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC The theme of the White House Holiday Decorations for 2018 is" American Treasures "and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the country's unique heritage The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests to visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national bread monuments Spice (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: At 18 feet tall, the official White House is wearing more than 500 feet of ribbon Blue velvet embroidered with gold with each state and territory, on display inside the Blue Room at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: At 18 feet tall, the official White House is wearing more than 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered with gold with each state and territory, on display inside the Blue Room at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House during a glimpse of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: At 18 feet tall, the official Christmas White House is dressed in more than 500 feet of embroidered blue velvet ribbon. 39; gold with each state and territory, on display inside the Blue Room at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Holiday decorations celebrating the "national symbols of the country, including the bald eagle, rose and oak" are exhibited in the room State Dining at the White House November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: National Mall Spice Bread Buildings, including Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument and House White are exposed to the State Dining Room at the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House during a glimpse of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House at a glimpse of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, DC, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo courtesy of NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House during a preview of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, DC, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit: NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Holiday decorations celebrating the country's "national symbols, including the bald eagle, the rose and oak 'are on display in the State Dining Room at House B Waters November 26, 2018 in Wa Shington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: The United States Marine Band plays holiday music in the White House decorated grand foyer on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House during a glimpse of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, DC on November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
A tree is seen at the White House during a glimpse of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo courtesy of NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
Christmas decorations are seen at the White House during a preview of the 2018 holiday decorations in Washington, DC, November 26, 2018. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit should match NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Decorated holiday trees line the Cross Room, foliage splashes along the ceiling of the House Blanche November 26, 2018 in Washington DC. The theme of the 2018 White House Holiday Decorations is "American Treasures" and features patriotic demonstrations highlighting the unique heritage of the country. The White House plans to host 100 open houses and more than 30,000 guests who will visit topiary trees, architectural models of major US cities, the Gold Star family tree and national gingerbread monuments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
The official Christmas ornament of the first family is seen at the press conference at the White House in Washington on Monday, November 26, 2018. Christmas has already arrived at the White House for 2018 Lady Melania Trump unveiled the holiday decor. She designed the set, whose theme is "The American Treasures". (Photo AP / Carolyn Kaster)
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The move was long overdue and would give Kelly's ultimate successor the opportunity to form a new political team at the White House.
Kelly was not in the place. White House Friday, but had to attend a dinner in the East Room with the President and senior staff.
Ayers, a veteran of the seasoned campaign despite his relative youth – he is only 36 years old – has the support of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the president's daughter, his son-in-law and his advisors for his new role, according to White House officials. But Ayers also encountered some resistance. On the return flight from Trump after his recent trip to Paris, some Air Force One staff members tried to convince the president that Ayers was the wrong person for the job, according to two people close to the case. .
The relationship between Trump and Kelly was revealed. under tension for months – with Kelly about to quit and Trump failing to fire him several times. But each time both decided to make amends, even as Kelly's influence had weakened.
Kelly, a retired four-star Marine Corps general, was asked by Trump in August 2017 to try to normalize a devastated White House. by internal struggles. And he had early successes, including ending an open oval door policy that had been compared to New York's Grand Central Station and introducing a more rigorous political process to prevent staff members from going anywhere. directly to Trump.
The President and some of his most influential outside allies did not care, who had become accustomed to unhindered access. And his treatment of spousal abuse charges against the former White House staff secretary also sowed consternation, particularly among junior White House employees, who believed that Kelly had lied to them when he had learned of the existence of these allegations.
did not hide the difficulties of his job and often joked that working for Trump was more difficult than anything he had done before, including on the battlefield.
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The Associated Press writer, Catherine Lucey, contributed to this report. .
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