Trump bracing for tempest over Mueller probe through White House reshuffle

US President Donald Trump seeks to establish a team that would be able to more effectively protect him from domestic political opponents, Chairman of the Board of the Valdai International Discussion Club’s Development and Support Foundation Andrei Bystritsky, told TASS on Monday, commenting on the dismissal of White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

"In my view, it is clear that the current administration is not the best at coping with political challenges the United States is facing, both external and internal. This has nothing to do with policy focuses, it is just an inability to improve the policy. Perhaps, the reason is that the American elite was brought up to believe in its messianic role, this is just a way of thinking," the expert said.

However, Trump’s policy is different, it is aimed at "another world and another situation." "Perhaps, Trump has had little success in forming an administration that would be consistent with his plans," Bystritsky noted.

"On top of that, there is a tempest looming over the Mueller investigation and confessions made by Trump’s former lawyer. There are enough domestic political challenges to face. Perhaps, one of the current administration’s faults is that it cannot properly advocate the president’s positions or at least it has let down Trump’s expectations in that regard," the expert said.

Bystritsky also said that the Kelly situation should be considered against the background of the Mueller investigation, the testimony of ex-FBI Chief James Comey and Trump’s recent criticism of former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

"All combined, it points to the US administration’s rebuilding effort," Bystritsky said. "UN Ambassador Nikki Hailey's resignation seems to be a link in the chain, it is all about creating a new governing system and making changes in the administration," he added.

"The US administration is a very important tool, one of the few the president has to himself. Clearly, there is the Congress, governors and other political actors, as well as the president himself. However, the administration is like hands for him. I think he wants to make his hands work in real life," the expert concluded.

Kelly’s dismissal
On Saturday, Trump announced that Kelly would leave his position at the end of the year.

In November, the US media said that Trump planned to dismiss Kelly and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen over the lack of a clear position on the migration issue. Trump confirmed earlier that he was contemplating changes in the administration following the November 6 midterm election.