#Chief of Staff John Kelly
John Kelly is a retired four-star Marine general who served as President Donald Trump’s administration’s White House Chief of Staff John Kelly from July 2017 to December 2018. He also served as the commander of U.S. Southern Command and as clerk of Homeland Security in the Trump administration. President Trump blazoned on December 8, 2018, that Kelly would leave his position as chief of staff John Kelly at the end of the time, thanking him for his service. The Senate verified Kelly as clerk of Homeland Security by a vote of 88- 11 on January 20, 2017.
Chief of Staff John Kelly Career
Early life
Growing up in a less affluent neighborhood, my friends and I often sought entertainment in exploring abandoned places and businesses, especially those nearby. The rundown buildings held a strange allure, and our adventures took an eerie turn when we decided to revisit our old elementary school, which had been abandoned for years. The spooky atmosphere surrounding the school led to a series of unsettling encounters that would forever alter our view of abandoned places.
A Haunting Revisit of My Elementary School
One Saturday night, my friend Ryan and I embarked on a journey to explore the abandoned elementary school. The decaying building, nestled in the woods behind a chainlink fence, had an unsettling history. Strange noises resonated through the formerly familiar passageways as we stepped inside. However, it wasn’t until a sudden thud and an encounter with a nearly naked man wielding a knife that our casual exploration turned into a life-threatening experience. Our quick response and speedy exit saved us from potential danger, leaving us shaken and pondering the perils of exploring abandoned places from our youth.
The Hidden Farmhouse
During my teenage years, our quest for secluded hangout spots led us to an unexpected discovery – JT’s parents’ old farmhouse. Situated in the middle of nowhere and abandoned for a decade, the dilapidated structure became an intriguing yet unsettling location for exploration. Little did we know that our venture into the decaying farmhouse would bring us face-to-face with an unknown intruder. The chilling encounter left us questioning the motives of the mysterious figure and the secrets hidden within the neglected walls of the forgotten farmhouse.
Nightmares in the Mountains
Seeking a solitary camping experience, I found myself on a secluded trail in the mountains. As dusk settled, I discovered an abandoned camping ground, untouched for years. Intrigued, I followed a mysterious path in the woods, uncovering a decaying cabin and receiving a serious warning from an unexpected resident. The fear and uncertainty surrounding this encounter forced me to abandon my campsite in the darkness, leaving me haunted by unanswered questions about the mysterious man and his unsettling presence in the forgotten cabin.
Promotion to general
After a brief assignment at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Kelly was promoted to brigadier general and stationed in Iraq. He returned to the U.S. in 2004 to serve as a legislative adjunct to the commander in Washington, D.C., until 2007. Shortly later, he was promoted again to major general and transferred to Camp Pendleton before being redeployed to Iraq in 2008. As an assistant general, Chief of Staff John Kelly assumed command of the Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North in 2009. From 2011 to 2012, he served as the elderly military adjunct to the clerk of defense before joining the Department of Defense’s United States Southern Command in 2012.
Retirement
How secure is Border policy and security discussed by Chief of Staff John Kelly?
During an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd on April 16, 2017, John Kelly discussed the importance of securing the border, highlighting a significant decrease in illegal border crossings. He emphasized the need to address this issue as a priority, stating, “Chuck, you really do have to secure the border somehow, first and foremost. The very, very, very good news is, for a lot of different reasons, the number of illegal aliens that are moving up from the south has dropped precipitously. I mean we’re down 65%, 70% in the last two months. These are the months when we typically see a sharp increase in illegal movement. However, it has decreased by almost 70%,” Kelly stated.
When asked about the impact of President Trump’s rhetoric on border security, Kelly acknowledged its role, saying, “Well, certainly. … Absolutely. We’ve taken several actions on the border, including my visits there on multiple occasions. Attorney General Jeff Sessions also recently visited. The increased attention to the border has definitely made an impact on the people there, the majority of whom are good individuals from Central America. However, this attention has also caused some confusion among them, and they’re now waiting to see what unfolds,” Chief of Staff John Kellyexplained.
In a November 2016 interview, Kelly discussed border security and Trump’s proposed Mexican border wall, emphasizing the importance of protecting borders while acknowledging the root causes of migration, such as violence and lack of economic opportunity in migrants’ home countries. He stated that controlling borders, whether through walls or fences, is a right of every country.
In March 2017, John Kelly, then Secretary of Homeland Security, highlighted a significant drop in illegal border crossings, reporting a 40% decrease from January to February that year. This decline was attributed to the Trump administration’s implementation of Executive Orders to enforce immigration laws. Kelly noted that this shift was particularly noteworthy as there is typically a 10-20% increase in apprehensions from January to February.
Kelly’s statements reflect his commitment to border security and immigration enforcement, highlighting the complexities of the issue and the need for comprehensive solutions.
During his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2015, Chief of Staff John Kelly emphasized a significant security threat posed by criminal organizations adapting their methods for trafficking across borders. He highlighted the potential for these networks, while not currently aligned with terrorist groups, to facilitate the movement of terrorist operatives or weapons of mass destruction toward the U.S. borders.
The Executive 0rder from John Kelly temporarily suspended immigration from six countries
John Kelly, the Homeland Security Secretary at the time, voiced his support for President Trump’s revised executive order on March 6, 2017. Kelly believed the order would improve national security and address long-standing concerns about the immigration system. He emphasized the need for a thorough review of visa and refugee vetting programs to ensure the safety of Americans. Kelly made it clear that the executive order applied only to foreign nationals without valid visas outside the United States and did not impact current lawful residents or authorized travelers. He underscored the importance of regulated and vetted travel, especially concerning national security.
Drug trade restriction
speech on April 18, 2017, at the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University, Chief of Staff John Kelly discussed the significant role played by transnational criminal organizations in smuggling drugs into the United States. He highlighted the devastating impact of drug overdose deaths, stating that in 2015 alone, there were 52,404 such deaths in the U.S. This number exceeded the peak of the AIDS epidemic in 1995 and nearly matched the number of American lives lost in World War I and over 12 years of the Vietnam War.
During his speech, he emphasized the urgent need for a national strategy to reduce drug demand in the United States. He called for a comprehensive effort involving not just government agencies like the FBI and DEA, but also Hollywood, professional sports figures, high school coaches, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, community activists, and religious leaders such as priests, pastors, rabbis, and imams. He stressed the importance of involving parents, highlighting that drug prevention starts at home.
To address this issue, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. This comprehensive approach aims to significantly reduce drug demand, leading to a more secure border.
During a speech on April 18, 2017, John Kelly, then Secretary of Homeland Security, emphasized the department’s position on marijuana. He described it as a potentially dangerous gateway drug that often leads to the use of harder substances. JOHN Kelly also highlighted the scientific evidence indicating that marijuana can be psychologically addictive and can have a significant negative impact on the developing brains of teenagers and young adults.
He emphasized that, under current federal law, the use and possession of marijuana are illegal. Until Congress changes these laws, DHS is committed to enforcing them. This includes investigating illegal pathways of marijuana into the U.S., its distribution within the country, and arresting individuals involved in the drug trade.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue its efforts to detect marijuana at sea, air, and land ports of entry, and will take necessary action upon discovery. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will also act accordingly when marijuana is discovered at aviation checkpoints and during baggage screening.
Furthermore, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will use marijuana possession, distribution, and convictions as part of their deportation and removal operations against illegal immigrants. This approach has been implemented in the past, continues today, and will persist in the future.
During an interview with Chuck Todd on NBC’s Meet the Press on April 16, 2017, Chief of Staff John Kelly was asked about the impact of legalizing marijuana on the drug war. He said marijuana is not a factor in the drug war.” He said that other drugs were more problematic. He said, “It’s three things. Methamphetamine.
Almost all are produced in Mexico. Heroin. Virtually all are produced in Mexico. cocaine that comes up from further south. Those three drugs resulted in the death of I think in ’15, I think, 52,000 people including opiates. It’s a massive problem. 52,000 Americans dead. You can’t put a price on human misery. The cost to the United States exceeds $250 billion annually. The solution doesn’t lie in arresting many users. Instead, it requires a comprehensive drug demand reduction program involving every person committed to good.
What was Chief of Staff John Kelly’s stance on Immigration Law?
During an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on April 23, 2017, then serving as secretary of Homeland Security under President Trump, addressed the issue of DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers. When asked about their status and the possibility of deportation, Chief of Staff John Kelly stated that while they are technically subject to deportation according to the law, his focus was on targeting more serious criminals, not Dreamers.
In another interview on April 16, 2017, Chief of Staff John Kelly emphasized the complexity of the immigration issue and called on Congress to address it. He acknowledged that the law regarding illegal immigration is clear but noted the complexity of dealing with the millions of individuals, including those who came to the U.S. as children or have established families here. Kelly stressed that while the law is the law, he had limitations in executing it.
These statements reflect Kelly’s nuanced approach to immigration enforcement, prioritizing national security and targeting serious criminals while recognizing the complexities of the immigration system.
During an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd, Chief of Staff John Kelly discussed the challenges of tracking down individuals residing in the country illegally. Kelly explained that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts targeted actions against illegal aliens based on specific criteria, such as criminal convictions. He emphasized that simply being in the United States illegally does not automatically make someone a target for deportation.
When asked for an example of someone who would qualify for deportation under the Trump administration but not under the Obama administration, Kelly cited individuals with multiple DUIs. He pointed out that even a single DUI, depending on the circumstances, could lead to deportation proceedings.Chief of Staff John Kelly clarified that while he and ICE enforce immigration laws, it is the United States criminal justice system that ultimately decides who gets deported.
What About Individuals residing in the U.S. without legal permission
During an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd on April 16, 2017, John Kelly, also the Secretary of Homeland Security, bandied the issue of visa overstays. He emphasized the significance of administering immigration laws, stating that visa overstays are a significant part of the illegal indigenous population in the country.
Chief of Staff John Kelly mentioned a targeted operation conducted by ICE to address this issue, admitting that while it’s time-consuming, it’s necessary to track down and deport individuals who have overstayed their visas. On March 6, 2017, Chief of Staff John Kellyalso mentioned considering a policy where minors would be separated from their parents if they entered the United States immorally.
He explained that this was a measure to discourage people from Central America from bearing the dangerous trip through Mexico to the United States. Kelly comforted that lonely minors would be well watched for, either through foster care or by linking them with parents or family members in the United States, as the government dealt with their parents’ immigration proceedings.
Portrayal of DHS agents
During a speech at the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University on April 18, 2017, Kelly expressed pride in serving alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He emphasized the importance of their work, which often goes unnoticed by the media.
And we, as a nation, owe them a debt of gratitude for taking on some of the toughest, most important jobs in America.
While some members of Congress, state and local politicians, or members of advocacy groups may read or listen to partial or inaccurate media reports…
the professionals at DHS are protecting the homeland and in many cases putting their lives on the line for a population the vast majority of whom will never know they are protected by such dedicated and well-trained public servants.
And that’s just a typical day, one that doesn’t often make headlines. Every day, in countless ways, DHS employees are enhancing our country’s security. They stand watch against all the threats we face and enforce the laws passed by Congress, as we are fortunate to live in a nation governed by laws. We fulfill our duties so that you and your families can enjoy a peaceful life in a free country.
During a speech, John Kelly, the former secretary of Homeland Security, urged lawmakers to support Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents instead of criticizing them for political gain. He emphasized that DHS agents, much like law enforcement officers, often face ridicule and insults from public officials based on unfounded allegations. Chief of Staff John Kelly urged lawmakers to either change the laws they don’t like or support the enforcement efforts of DHS agents.
He expressed frustration with the morale problems within the department, which he attributed to years of discouragement, bureaucratic hurdles, and political interference. Kelly emphasized that DHS agents deserve respect and appreciation for the difficult and often thankless job they do in serving the American people.
The key message from Kelly’s speech is the importance of supporting and respecting the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security who work tirelessly to protect the nation’s security.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly
On July 28, 2017, Trump announced on Twitter that Kelly would replace Reince Priebus as the Chief of Staff John Kelly in his administration.
Anthony Scaramuccia’s dismissal in July 2017
On his first day as chief of staff John Kelly on July 31, 2017, He made headlines by dismissing communications director Anthony Scaramucci, who had been in the position for just 10 days. Scaramucci’s departure followed a controversial interview with The New York Times, where he made disparaging remarks about other members of the president’s staff, including Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon.
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders explained the decision, saying, “The president felt Anthony’s comments were inappropriate for someone in that position. He also didn’t want to burden General Kelly with that kind of behavior.
In August 2017 Changes to information channels in the White House
In August 2017, during his first week as Chief of Staff John Kelly, implemented a new system for delivering information to President Trump. Previously, aides and advisors would directly approach the president with information, but Kelly changed this practice. Now, all information intended for Trump had to first go through Kelly.
According to a report from August 2017, Kelly instructed aides that anyone briefing the president must first show him the information. He emphasized that he would not allow aides to enter the Oval Office and inform the president without permission or without the information being vetted.
Trump announces Chief of Staff John Kelly leaving the role
conclusion
In August 2017, John Kelly, during his first week as Chief of Staff John Kelly, changed how information reached President Trump. Previously, aides and advisors could approach Trump directly, but Kelly required all information to go through him first. He insisted that anyone briefing the president must show him the information beforehand, ensuring it was vetted. This change aimed to streamline communication and ensure Trump received reliable information.
President Trump announced on December 8, 2018, that Kelly would leave his role as Chief of Staff John Kelly at the end of the year.
FAQs
2. What’s Chief of Staff John Kelly‘s background?
