In his old reality TV days, Donald Trump would read “you’re fired” from the teleprompter, and sound decisive when axing one of the contestants. As president, he lets his staff go by a simple tweet.
Trump surprised his White House counsel, Don McGahn, today by abruptly announcing he will be leaving his job this fall. McGahn had never discussed the timing of his departure with Trump.
The news comes 11 days after The New York Times reported the degree to which McGahn — who was by Trump’s side at major moments as the president sought to keep control of the Russia inquiry — has emerged as a key witness in the investigation. Over the past nine months McGahn has given 30 hours of testimony in at least three voluntary interviews.
McGahn’s departure leaves the White House without one of the few senior advisers who has been willing to push back against Mr. Trump. It also raised the prospect of further West Wing exits, particularly in the White House Counsel’s Office, where Mr. McGahn has had a loyal staff, with several people staying in their jobs out of devotion to him.
The way Trump blindsided him with a tweet underscored how dysfunctional the relationship had become, even as the Russia inquiry appears to be reaching a critical phase, and the president is under mounting legal scrutiny.