Who Exits Next? Insight From a Trump Insider

Lost in all the hoopla of the "Black Friday" omnibus disaster is the fact that the Trump White House has proactively attempted to improve the cabinet and upper level leadership over the past week or so.

Mike Pompeo for Rex Tillerson, the firing of H.R. McMaster, and the appointment of John Bolton as National Security Advisor are all examples of an administration still looking for the best possible fits as it is met with resistance from an obstructionist legislative branch.

Rumors that have been swirling around the possible departure of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson were downplayed on ABC Television on Sunday by Trump confidant and Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy.

"People like Ben Carson, I'm told the president is happy with the job he's doing – he will be staying," Ruddy told ABC's Martha Raddatz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfTPutzcDXE

Regarding the upper level leadership game of musical chairs that has played out in DC over the past 14 months Ruddy said, "He was a business guy, he was an entertainer, he came into this job, he didn't know anyone in politics, and he's brought in a team that's been very good in many areas, [Secretary of Defense] Gen. [James] Mattis for instance, [CIA Director and now Secretary of State nominee] Mike Pompeo.

"You know, there's certain people that just didn't work. Rex Tillerson didn't click with the president. He didn't have the political smarts for someone to run the State Department – never engaged with his own staff at the State Department.

"So, I think the president's making like he's trying to improve the type of people he's bringing in. [National Economic Council Chairman Larry] Kudlow and [National Security Adviser John] Bolton – you might disagree with some of their views – they're much stronger personalities as they're coming into the White House, and I think they're going to give a level of stability, and I think they're going to be a great help to Gen. Kelly."

After departure of former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus last summer, Gen. Kelly helped steer the administration towards its biggest victory to date: Tax Reform.

Whether or not rumored changes in other places like the Veterans Administration materialize remain to be seen but Americans can clearly see that White House's efforts to find "The Best People" continue in year 2 of the Trump administration.