President Trump
Donald John TrumpTillerson: Russia already looking to interfere in 2018 midterms Dems pick up deep-red legislative seat in Missouri Speier on Trump's desire for military parade: 'We have a Napoleon in the making' MORE reportedly called former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus
Reinhold (Reince) Richard PriebusPriebus: Ryan is achieving goals with Trump he’s worked on 'since he was 21' Priebus: Trump is doing better with black and Hispanic voters Sunday Shows preview: Debate over memo takes spotlight in Washington MORE to complain about the job performance of his successor, John Kelly
John Francis KellyMORE.
The New York Times on Thursday cited people close to the president saying that Trump phoned several people including Priebus to complain about Kelly's performance.
The call comes as the chief of staff finds himself at the center of criticism over the White House response to allegations of domestic abuse leveled against White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who resigned this week after facing allegations from two ex-wives.
Kelly initially defended Porter in a Daily Mail story that revealed allegations that Porter physically and emotionally abused his two ex-wives. The White House chief of staff issued a second statement Wednesday saying he was "shocked" by the allegations.
“I was shocked by the new allegations released today against Rob Porter,” Kelly said. “There is no place for domestic violence in our society.” But he added: “I stand by my previous comments of the Rob Porter that I have come to know since becoming chief of staff and believe every individual deserves the right to defend their reputation.”
Trump has recently asked advisers their thoughts about Mick Mulvaney
John (Mick) Michael MulvaneyOvernight Regulation: EPA sued over water rule delay | House passes bill to ease ObamaCare calorie rule | Regulators talk bitcoin | Patient groups oppose FDA 'right to try' bill Mnuchin wants to know how consumer bureau is handling Equifax breach Overnight Finance: Senators near two-year budget deal | Trump would 'love to see a shutdown' over immigration | Dow closes nearly 600 points higher after volatile day | Trade deficit at highest level since 2008 | Pawlenty leaving Wall Street group MORE, the White House budget director, possibly serving as chief of staff, two sources told the Times. Mulvaney currently also serves as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Kelly's initial support for Porter has been criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including Republican Sen. Joe Kennedy
Joseph (Joe) Patrick KennedyJoe Kennedy: Biden likely would have defeated Trump Joe Kennedy: Dems need ‘messenger who has credibility with the people we seek’ They may forget Trump's words, but voters will remember the divided audience MORE (La.), who said Thursday that Kelly made a "bad decision."
“I think Gen. Kelly has done an extraordinary job as chief of staff to President Trump. I think he’s a good man, and sometimes good people make bad decisions,” Kennedy said.
Porter denied the claims in a statement announcing his resignation from the White House on Wednesday, calling them part of a "coordinated smear campaign."
"These outrageous allegations are simply false," he said.