Melania calling shots? Forces exit of top White House aide
A senior national security aide to United States President Donald Trump was forced to depart the White House yesterday, a day after the First Lady Melania Trump sought her exit. On Tuesday, the office of the First Lady had gone public saying, deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel "no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House." Details here.
What triggered: Ricardel's apparent tiff with Melania's staff last month
Presidential spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement, "Mira Ricardel will continue to support the President as she departs the White House to transition to a new role within the Administration". "The President is grateful for Ricardel's continued service to the American people," Sanders added. Ricardel is believed to have entered into a confrontation with Melania's staff during her trip to Africa last month.
This is Trump's first firing after mid-term elections
Mira is said to be close with John Bolton, the National Security Adviser. She had earlier served in previous Republican Administration. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, she had joined the White House this May. This is Trump's first firing after the mid-term elections, which saw Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives, ending the Republicans' dominance of both Congress chambers.
