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President Trump is considering replacing White House Chief of Staff John Kelly with Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, The Wall Street Journal reports. As has been previously reported, the Journal also notes that Trump is “likely” to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen—a Kelly ally—but has yet to decide on the timing “in part because there isn’t an obvious candidate to replace her.” The ousting of Nielsen could lead to Kelly quitting, and the president is reportedly “resigned” to that possibility. NBC News reports that while Ayers is being considered for the job, Trump has floated other possible candidates to replace Kelly.
Trump has also decided to remove Mira Ricardel, national security adviser John Bolton’s top deputy, at the “urging” of first lady Melania Trump, the Journal reports. The White House, Homeland Security Department, and National Security Council all declined to comment to the Journal. “This is how the president works,” one White House official said. “He’s doused a bunch of people in gasoline and he’s waiting for someone to light a match.”