The Departure of John Kelly: A Reflection on White House Dynamics

The recent announcement of John Kelly's departure as the White House Chief of Staff has sparked a flurry of speculation. Many are questioning the events that led to his resignation. Was it a single dramatic event, or had his 'BS tank' finally overflowed? This article delves into the factors that may have contributed to this departure.

Speculation Around Kelly's Departure

One popular narrative surrounds Kelly's interactions with Ivanka Trump. According to some reports, Ivanka was uncomfortable with Kelly's advances. While Ivanka generally enjoys being courted, the situation with Kelly was perceived negatively. The article cites sources saying, 'Ordinary people tell me that he was hitting on Ivanka. Usually she just shuts her eyes and hums the Battle Hymn of the Republic. But this time, it was different. She thought, “He’s so old. That’s like my Daddy hitting on me. Ewwww.” Thus, many believe Kelly's tenure came to an end due to these personal dynamics.'

Political and Professional Challenges

Others argue that Kelly's departure was due to a systemic issue rather than a specific incident. The article states, 'He toughed it out as long as he could... He tried to bring logic and reason to the White House, but Trump ignored virtually everything he advised. In fact, Trump would often do the opposite of Kelly's recommendations. At some point, the 'BS tank' finally overflowed.'

The Harsh Reality of the Chief of Staff's Role

The Chief of Staff role is notoriously difficult and stressful. John Kelly was trying to perform a vital job under unprecedented circumstances. It's mentioned that Obama's five Chiefs of Staff had a limited public discussion about their 'BS tank' issues. This has prompted a closer look at the challenges Kelly faced. Below is a list of Obama's Chiefs of Staff along with their tenures:

Rahm Emanuel: January 20, 2009 – October 1, 2010 Pete Rouse: October 1, 2010 – January 13, 2011 Bill Daley: January 13, 2011 – January 27, 2012 Jack Lew: January 27, 2012 – January 20, 2013 Denis McDonough: January 20, 2013 – January 20, 2017

Each of these leaders faced significant challenges during their terms. The article concludes by saying, 'There is a limit to how much one person can take. Kelly had nothing left to lose and no career to advance. He was asked to do a job that was virtually impossible. It's akin to juggling watermelons while walking a tight rope over the Grand Canyon and jumping through flaming hoops that Trump would sometimes set from his end.'

With Trump instructing him to leave before he was 'thrown out,' Kelly's departure is seen as a strategic move to avoid dealing with impending issues. The piece concludes by emphasizing that, 'it is possible he knows something bad is about to happen and, therefore, doesn't want to clean another mess up.'