A coup at the White House

The generals are taking over at the White House. Trump loves "my generals". With Disney Priebus gone in a flash after the Scarymucci scolding, in comes four-star General John Kelly, a Marine Corps man to his fingertips. If he can't get control of the White House and keep it in good order, no one can. But Kelly, moved from the Department of Homeland Security, will find the White House a very different place to be in charge. Running his own department is one thing. Generals are good at that because they know how to command men and women and they are good at strategic planning. But the White House is a hotbed of political in-fighting. He will find it much more of a challenge to keep the likes of Stephen Bannon, chief strategist, and Anthony Scarymucci, new director of communications and filthy language, under control. But being a retired four-star Marine general he will no doubt focus on the one main job, to keep Trump happy and informed, and fight off the political rats and foxes when they try to stir the waters. It will be an eye-opener for Kelly who is a pretty straight talker and normally gets what he wants. He joins Lieutenant-General HR McMaster, National Security Adviser, which will be an interesting partnership. Kelly is a four-star and McMaster is a still-serving three-star, but in the White House, military star ratings won't really count. Kelly as chief organiser and mastermind of Trump's life as president will need to show respect to McMaster but he will not allow anyone to order him around. Kelly is now the boss of the White House - below Trump of course. He will be in on everything that goes on in the Oval Office, and his words of advise will have a big impact on the president. And Trump can be sure as hell that General Kelly won't start leaking classified stuff to the press. Marine generals don't leak, period! Not that I'm accusing Priebus of leaking. It seems to me to be highly doubtful that he was behind all the recent leaks, despite Scarymucci's blatant allegations. But Kelly will stamp his authority on the White House and anyone caught even thinking about leaking will find out what it's like to be punished by a four-star general. So the era of Kelly begins. But how long will it take before Kelly and Scarymucci lock horns, and who will win? For my money, Kelly will see off the Wall Street banker. Scarymucci has caused such consternation and confusion since he took over last week as director of comunications that Kelly will need to sort him out straightaway. Sort him out well and good, never mind what Trump thinks. Otherwise Kelly will himself not last long as Trump's second chief of staff in six months.