President Donald Trump has announced that budget director Mick Mulvaney will be his next chief of staff.
Mr Trump tweeted on Friday that Mr Mulvaney “has done an outstanding job” in his administration and would take over next year.
Mr Trump deemed Mr Mulvaney his “acting chief of staff” but it was not immediately clear what that meant for the length of his tenure.
I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018
….I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! John will be staying until the end of the year. He is a GREAT PATRIOT and I want to personally thank him for his service!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018
Congratulations to @MickMulvaneyOMB on being named Acting White House Chief of Staff! Mick’s done a great job at OMB & we look forward to working w/ him in his new role. Thank you John Kelly for your years of service to our Nation & this @WhiteHouse. We will always be grateful!
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 14, 2018
He will replace John Kelly.
Mr Trump praised Mr Kelly’s service and called him a “great patriot” in the tweet.
Mr Trump announced last week that Mr Kelly, who served in the post for more than a year, would soon be departing.
![Trump Chief of Staff](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/b00a692d0e5d2a30a1bf7f4f51d0f1c5Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTQ0OTEzNTAw/2.40230286.jpg?w=640)
The president’s first choice was Nick Ayers, the vice president’s chief of staff, who bowed out after being unable to come to an agreement on how long he would serve in the post.
Journalist and TV presenter Piers Morgan had been among the names linked to the post which is effectively to act as the president’s gatekeeper.
![Trump Chief of Staff](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/ca35b4a490d7ccbca93a4d131000a7e6Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTQ0OTEzNjY5/2.40115139.jpg?w=640)
It comes as Mr Trump begins to focus his attention on seeking a second term in 2020 after voters delivered a mixed verdict in the midterm elections.
Candidates for the White House are expected to start throwing their hats into the ring in the new year.
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