Senior White House aide to be fired after dispute with Melania Trump
Donald Trump’s deputy national security adviser is reportedly set to be fired following a dispute with the first lady, Melania Trump, according to The Guardian.
The US first lady took the extraordinary step of publicly pushing for the move against Mira Ricardel, the top aide to the national security adviser, John Bolton, on Tuesday.
“It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that [Ricardel] no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House,” Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s communications director, said in a statement.
It marked a rare intervention on personnel matters by Melania Trump, who has otherwise maintained a relatively low profile as first lady.
Ricardel, who was hired in April by Bolton after he assumed the role of Trump’s national security adviser, reportedly clashed with members of the first lady’s staff over seating on a plane during Melania Trump’s recent trip to Africa.
The East Wing staff have reportedly complained that Ricardel feuded with them over the use of national security council resources. Ricardel also shared a contentious rapport with White House chief of staff John Kelly and the defense secretary, Jim Mattis.