Donald Trump has just completed six months as the 45th president of the USA, but there have been more upheavals in his administration than before him. Many of these changes are because of the so called “Russian connection” that is refusing to die away.
The latest news on this issue is the resignation of Sean Spicer from the post of White House Press Secretary. He has been replaced by Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The White House also announced the appointment of New York Financer Anthony Scaramucci as the communications director.
This was the catalyst that triggered the resignation. It is reported that Trump had asked Sean Spicer to stay on, but he is supposed to have told the President that the appointment of Scaramucci was a“mistake” This has been reported by the NYT which labeled the source as “anonymous”.
The appointment of Scaramucci was expected as the vacancy of Communication Director was lying vacant, after Mike Dubke resigned in May.
Sean Spicer
Spicer, a reserve naval officer had a short stint of six months as the communication director. He was the public face of the White House but during his press briefings committed many gaffs.
He was criticized for making many false or controversial statements, as well as for displaying combative behavior with the press. His relationship with the White House press corps was contentious. The first instance occurred after Trump's inauguration when Spicer claimed that the crowds at the ceremony were the largest and that the press had deliberately reported fewer numbers.He once even gave a clean chit to Hitler regarding use of gas
Spicer had a checkered career and was the Communications Director on the House Government Reform Committee in 2000. He was the communications director and spokesman for the House Budget Committee during the period 2003-5.When George Bush was president he was assistant for media and public affairs at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Comic
The resignation of Spicer has been commented upon by many people. Some of the comments are laced with humor. Prominent talk show hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel offered condolences to Melissa McCarthy who portrayed Spicer in Saturday Night Live comedy sketches. Spicer’s going was long expected but yet it comes as surprise. He had been asked to scale down his appearances and now has finally quit. One wonders whether his going will be a help to president Donald Trump in his battle with the Russian connection.