Analysis | John Kelly: ex-general enters White House ‘zoo’ to impose order for Trump
Retired Marine General John Kelly is a battle-hardened commander who would bring a background of military discipline and order to Trump’s roiling White House
US President Donald Trump is trying to take command of his floundering administration by enlisting a retired four-star Marine general as his White House chief of staff, empowering a no-nonsense disciplinarian to transform a dysfunctional West Wing into the “fine-tuned machine” the president has bragged of running but has not yet materialised.
John Kelly will be sworn in Monday at the nadir of Trump’s presidency, with historically low approval ratings, a stalled legislative agenda and an escalating Russia investigation that casts a dark cloud.
Watch: Trump comments on Priebus and Kelly
But no matter how decisive his leadership, Kelly alone cannot turn Trump’s vision into reality. Warring internal factions that have stirred chaos, stoked suspicions and freelanced policies for six straight months may not easily submit to Kelly’s rule. And the president – whose rash impulses routinely have sabotaged the best efforts of his senior aides – has shown no willingness to be tamed.
“Kelly is an incredibly disciplined person who could bring order to the process if the animals in the zoo behave,” said John McLaughlin, a former acting director of the CIA who served in seven administrations.