President Trump announced Friday that he is naming Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his new White House chief of staff, replacing Reince Priebus who submitted his resignation.
The president made the announcement on Twitter, Fox News reports.
“I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American … and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration,” he tweeted.
I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017
…and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017
Kelly, a retired Marine general, formerly commanded the United States Southern Command.
The shake-up follows the abrupt resignation of White House press secretary Sean Spicer one week ago. Spicer quit after Trump named Anthony Scaramucci the new White House communications director, who immediately began clashing with Priebus.
Both Priebus and Spicer worked together at the Republican National Committee before joining the administration.
In another tweet on Friday, Trump expressed his appreciation for Priebus, who became chief of staff at the beginning of the administration.
“I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country,” the president tweeted. “We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!”
