Analysis & Opinions - The Washington Post

John Kelly Offers Washington a Xanax

| Oct. 13, 2017

John Kelly’s news conference from the White House briefing room yesterday was great. It was the equivalent of offering Washington a Xanax. The poised, confident and well-spoken White House chief of staff actually looked like, dare I say, a president. Too bad President Trump can’t do what Kelly did.

Trump’s erratic behavior and inconsistent verbiage put into vivid relief just how steady Kelly is. It was somewhat at the president’s expense, but Kelly’s handling of the media yesterday reminded us all of the critical function he fills as a grounding anchor at the White House. And it confirmed that he is confident in his footing in the Trump administration.

I have it on good authority that it was Trump’s idea for the retired Marine Corps general to make his appearance yesterday. Maybe Trump felt as though he needed to box Kelly into a commitment to stay. Or perhaps, at a certain level, Trump sometimes knows that he is the problem and that somebody needs to calm the waters.

Want to Read More?

The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.
Read Full Article
For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Rogers, Ed.“John Kelly Offers Washington a Xanax.” The Washington Post, October 13, 2017.

The Author

Recommended
In the Spotlight
RSS
While offsets are imperfect, they may be necessary to reach ambitious short-term environmental goals.
More on Energy
Danielle F. Jung and Dara Kay Cohen argue that lynching emerges when neither the state nor its challengers have a monopoly over legitimate authority.
More on International Security
Western models partly inspired the creation of Special Operation Command and Military Police and the development of private military companies.
More from Russia Matters
Most Viewed

Tags