White House chief of staff John Kelly has brought control to the West Wing, but has not built "strong personal alliances" among much of the senior staff, Axios reported Thursday.
Citing "dozens of conversations" with unnamed senior officials in the administration of President Donald Trump, Axios reported Kelly is admired for his service — and commands a level of deference and power that eluded his predecessor, Reince Priebus.
But as he has cut down on access to Trump, Kelly also has irritated and alienated some key staffers.
"He's maintained control and support because Trump empowered him, but also because people were deferential to an American hero," one unnamed senior administration official told Axios.
"But ultimately this workplace, like any, depends on building relationships and alliances to succeed. And Kelly has not built strong personal alliances with much of the senior staff."
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