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Friday 14 February 2020

Trump bringing back trusted aide Hope Hicks to White House

Continued from Front at reading the president's
moods and helping others
She left the White House in navigate his instincts.
2018 and moved to Califor- Trump never wanted Hicks
nia to work as a top execu- to leave the White House,
tive at the Fox Corporation, which she chose to do as
though she and Trump re- she was called to testify
mained in touch. before lawmakers and the
Hicks's move comes just special counsel's office dur-
one week after Trump was ing the Russia investigation.
acquitted by the Senate And she and the president
on impeachment charges. remained in regular touch
Since then, he's been on a while she was at Fox, with
tear to clear his adminis- the president trying to con-
tration of those he sees as vince her to return to the
insufficiently loyal, includ- White House since nearly
ing ousting staffers at the the day she left, accord-
national security council ing to one of the people.
and state department and The president's sales pitch,
pulling the nomination of the person said, intensified
a top treasury department in recent months amid im-
pick who had overseen peachment.
cases involving Trump's The news of her deci-
former aides as U.S. At- In this Feb. 27, 2018 photo, White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, arrives to meet sion was praised publicly
torney. More departures behind closed doors with the House Intelligence Committee, at the Capitol in Washington. by top administration of-
are expected in the com- Associated Press ficials, including Stephanie
ing days, including at the bruising general election fice. McEntee had served the people being brought Grisham, the White House
shrinking foreign policy arm campaign to remain in the as Trump's personal aide back into the fold "are press secretary who also
of the White House, where White House. until he was forced out of people that understand serves as the current White
Trump's national security In addition to Hicks, Trump the White House in 2018 on Trump as a person, who un- House communications di-
adviser has been pushing recently brought back the orders of former chief derstand President Trump's rector.
for months to cull staff. John McEntee, another of staff John Kelly over is- priorities, who he likes per- "I have worked with Hope
At the same time, Trump longtime staffer who be- sues with his security clear- sonally" and who "re going for almost six years and
has been working to sur- gan on the 2016 campaign ance. to spend every waking mo- can say without hesitation
round himself with long- as an intern and rose to be- McEntee has now been ment of their lives trying to she is one of the most tal-
time aides he believes he come one of Trump's clos- tapped to lead the White help him." ented and savvy individu-
can trust as he heads into est staffers, with an office House Presidential Person- In her new role, Hicks will als I have come across,"
what is expected to be a adjacent to the Oval Of- nel Office, an influential not be part of the White Grisham said in a state-
posting that coordinates House communications ment. "She has always im-
the screening and hiring of department, but will work pressed me with her quiet
thousands of federal gov- closely with Kushner and confidence, loyalty and
ernment workers . As part White House political direc- expertise, and I am beyond
of that mission, he is ex- tor Brian Jack "in a number thrilled to welcome Hope
pected to work to ensure of strategic areas," ac- back to the White House."
that only those who be- cording to a White House "There is no one more de-
lieve in Trump's mission are official. She is expected voted to implementing
offered jobs. to start early next month, President Trump's agenda
"This is bringing back Ringo though details were still be- than Hope Hicks," Kushner
and John and Paul and ing worked out Thursday. added. "We are excited
George," said Jason Miller, Known for her loyalty and to have her back on the
senior communications low public profile, Hicks team." Even before Trump's
adviser to Trump's 2016 was part of the small inner acquittal, his national secu-
campaign, referring to circle that traveled the rity adviser Robert O'Brien
the members of the super country with Trump aboard had been working to shrink
group "The Beatles." his private jet as he waged the ranks at the National
"This is putting the band his unlikely campaign for Security Council, where Al-
back together for what is the Republican nomination exander Vindman, the di-
probably going to be the and then the presidency in rector for European Affairs,
most consequential and 2015 and 2016. She was of- had worked before he was
important concert of their ten described as someone escorted out of the White
lives," he said, noting that who was especially deft House last week.q