John F Kelly

“Well, there’s two things,”

John F Kelly · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12

General John F Kelly, who had just been sworn in as chief of staff replacing Priebus, explained to Scaramucci why he was being dismissed.

“The president doesn’t want you here any more, so that’s reason enough for you to go. But number two, Anthony, just being honest with you, you were reporting directly to him. I’m the new chief of staff. If I kept you, all the papers would write about is that there are two direct reports to the president, and I can’t have that. I’m a four-star general. You’ve got to go.”

John F Kelly · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12

General Kelly told Scaramucci that Trump no longer wanted him and that his direct reporting structure was incompatible with Kelly's role as chief of staff.