Tag Archives: Melania Trump

Sounds like Mira Ricardel, one of National Security Advisor John Bolton’s most trusted aides, rubbed the first lady the wrong way.

According to the Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Trump has already decided to remove Ms. Ricardel, the top deputy for national security adviser John Bolton, officials said on Tuesday.

A rift emerged after Mrs. Trump staff’s battled with Ms. Ricardel during the first lady’s trip to Africa last month over seating on the plane and requests to use National Security Council resources, according to people familiar with the matter. The first lady’s team also told Mr. Trump that they suspect Ms. Ricardel is behind some negative stories about Mrs. Trump and her staff.

The first lady’s office issued a statement on Tuesday calling for Ms. Ricardel to be dismissed. “It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House,” said Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump.

The first lady firing national security aides? That’s a new one.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is also out, just as I learned to spell her name. Her top ally, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, may follow.

Mr. Trump is also leaning toward the ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who is a close ally of Mr. Kelly, White House officials said. The president has decided to replace Ms. Nielsen, but hasn’t finalized the timing, White House officials said, in part because there isn’t an obvious candidate to replace her.

Mr. Trump has told aides that he is aware that forcing out Ms. Nielsen may result in Mr. Kelly quitting, administration officials said. Mr. Trump has told these aides that he is resigned to the possibility of Mr. Kelly leaving, and that he probably will replace Mr. Kelly with Nick Ayers, who is currently chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence.