11/16/2018

MELANIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Officials in the Donald Trump administration have now learned the lesson taught many of their predecessors. Beware the power of the first lady. Melania Trump basically forced out a top national security official this week, a reminder to many that first ladies wield a unique kind of power…The White House announced Wednesday that deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel will be moved to another job, a day after Mrs. Trump took the extraordinary step of publicly calling for her removal…Previous first ladies have weighed in on policy and personnel – Nancy Reagan famously got rid of White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan in 1987 – but they usually act behind the scenes, speaking with reporters on background. Melania Trump’s public statement about Mira Ricardel appears to be unprecedented. This even though the two have never met.”

David Jackson, “Donald Trump’s team learns old lesson: Be careful with the first lady,” USA Today, November 16, 2018 11:04 am