The White House revolving door: Who's gone? - BBC News

The White House revolving door: Who's gone?
5 July 2018

On Mr Trump's reality TV show, his catchphrase was "You're fired!"
Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt is the latest in a long line of senior officials who have quit, been fired, or eased out by the White House.

Here is a run-down of what they did, and why they left, starting with the most recent.

Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - 6 July 2018

The lawyer served as the attorney general of Oklahoma from 2011 - 2017.

He had sued the EPA, the agency which he presided over, a number of times in his role as the state's attorney general.

Why did he leave?
Donald Trump announced that Mr Pruitt had resigned due to "unrelenting attacks" on himself and his family.

Since taking office Mr Pruitt has been mired in series of scandals concerning his spending habits and alleged misuse of office, and is the subject of at least a dozen investigations into his conduct.

As the head of the EPA, he angered many liberals and environmentalists by severely curtailing the agency's activities and repealing many measures designed to protect the environment.

The long list of Scott Pruitt controversies

While accepting Mr Pruitt's resignation, Mr Trump tweeted that he had done "an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him".

Time in post?
One year, four months, 19 days

David Shulkin, Veterans Affairs Secretary - 28 March 2018
A doctor, he had served as undersecretary of veterans affairs for health under Barack Obama.

President Trump had hailed him as "fantastic" when appointing him, and the Senate gave him the only 100-0 confirmation of the Trump team.

Why did he leave?
Donald Trump announced that Mr Shulkin was resigning and that the president's personal doctor, Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson, would replace him.

Mr Shulkin had come under fire for alleged improper behaviour by department staff on a trip to Europe in 2017, including his own acceptance of tickets to the Wimbledon tennis tournament. He denied wrongdoing but agreed to reimburse the government for his wife's air fare for the trip.

Mr Shulkin won praise from veterans' groups, but his lack of action on privatising the Veterans Health Administration had angered conservatives.

In parting, he condemned the "toxic, chaotic, disrespectful and subversive" environment in Washington.

Time in post?
Fourteen months

HR McMaster, National Security Adviser - 22 March 2018
A lieutenant general with the US Army, Mr McMaster served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he worked on a government anti-corruption drive.

He replaced Lt Gen Michael Flynn, who was fired after just three weeks and three days in the job after he misled Vice-President Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador.

Time magazine named him as one of its 100 most influential people in the world in 2014, saying he "might be the 21st Century Army's pre-eminent warrior-thinker".

Why did he leave?
Mr Trump reportedly disliked his "gruff and condescending" manner and staff said the two never "gelled".

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly also had little positive to say about the general.

Time in post?
Thirteen months.

Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State - 13 March 2018

President Trump announced on Twitter that his secretary of state was leaving his position and being replaced with CIA director Mike Pompeo.

The dramatic shake-up came during a delicate time for diplomatic relations, with direct talks agreed in principle with North Korea.

In a statement, Mr Trump thanked him for his service and wished his family well.

Why did he leave?
The news came just after Mr Tillerson cut short a trip through Africa, with a statement saying he returned a day early because of schedule demands in Washington.

Mr Tillerson reportedly disagreed with a number of the president's policies, including his recently announced proposal to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Mr Trump reportedly believed Mr Tillerson was "too establishment" in his thinking, US media reports.

Time in post?
Fourteen months.

Gary Cohn, Chief Economic Adviser - 6 March 2018

The former president of the Goldman Sachs bank was appointed as head of the National Economic Council as Mr Trump took office, so becoming the president's top economic adviser.

In his time at the White House, he helped push through sweeping reforms on taxes, one of the most significant policy achievements of the administration.

But the two were not reported to be close, and rumours of Mr Cohn's departure continued to swirl.

Why did he leave?
A staunch globalist, Mr Cohn had reportedly vowed to quit if Mr Trump pressed ahead with plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the US.

According to US media, Mr Cohn initially planned to resign after Mr Trump blamed "both sides" for violence at a deadly far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017.

Time in post?
Fourteen months.

Hope Hicks, White House Communications Director - 28 February 2018

Ms Hicks served as Mr Trump's press secretary and handled media requests during his campaign.

She became his fourth director of strategic communications for the Trump White House after Anthony Scaramucci was fired after just 10 days in the job.

The fashion model-turned-spokeswoman previously worked as a publicist for Ivanka Trump's fashion label before entering politics with Mr Trump's bid for the White House.

Who is Trump's media director?

Why did she leave?
Her resignation came a day after she testified to a congressional panel investigating Russian influence on the 2016 election, telling them she had occasionally told "white lies" for her boss.

Her departure came only weeks after another top aide to Mr Trump, Rob Porter - with whom Ms Hicks was reported to have been in a relationship - quit amid allegations by two ex-wives of abuse.

Time in post?
Six years in the Trump Organization, and three years with Mr Trump during his campaign and presidency.