John Kelly Leaving White House By End Of Year, Trump Announces

WHITE HOUSE – Embattled White House Chief of Staff John Kelly will be leaving his position by the end of the year. President Trump made the announcement as he prepared to leave the White House for the Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia.

"John Kelly will be leaving toward the end of the year," Trump said, adding that Kelly is "a great guy.

"We'll be announcing who will be taking John's place" in the next couple of days.

Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts

Kelly took over the job from Reince Preibus in July 2017 and for a while had a good relationship with the president.

Things started deteriorating late last year as Trump reportedly started griping that Kelly wasn't letting him be himself, limiting access to the White House.

Meanwhile, as time passed, there were more and more reports that Kelly was considering leaving, that he had enough of Trump's behavior, and people doing an end-run around him to go the president directly.

In recent days there have been several reports that the two men have not even been speaking.

Despite the tensions, Trump had nothing but good words for his departing chief of staff.

"I don't know if I can say retiring but he's a great guy," Trump told reporters. "He's been with me almost two years now."

He's expected to be replaced ny Nick Ayers, currently chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence.

Photo of John Kelly at the White House last month via Evan Vucci/AP Photo.