Blowback A Warning to Save Democracy from the Next Trump

by Miles Taylor

On October 18, the chief went to the Oval and unloaded on Trump, telling the president he simply didn’t have the legal authority to do what he wanted to at the border. The best option was to focus on getting Congress to reform our broken immigration system. Trump was unmoved. If his people were going to defy him, he’d empower new ones. The president tapped his son-in-law to take on immigration. Jared was in charge, Trump said. Kirstjen and I were sitting in Kelly’s office when the chief came back from down the hall. I’d never seen him so mad. “Fuck him,” Kelly roared. “I’m done here. I’m leaving, going home, and quitting this job.” He walked into the hallway to tell his Secret Service agents to get his motorcade ready. “I quit.” Back in the office again for a brief moment—briefcase in hand—Kelly picked up the phone and got Jared on the line. “POTUS says you’ve got it figured out. So fuck you. It’s on you now, Jared. I’m out.” He slammed the phone. With that, Kelly left the West Wing.