John F. Kelly

Kelly was born on May 11, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Josephine "Honey" (Pedalino) and John F. Kelly. Born to a Catholic family, his father was of Irish ancestry and his mother of Italian descent.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-john-kellys-brighton-boston-how-neighborhood-led-him-to-side/ |title=How John Kelly's Boston neighborhood led him to Trump's side |date=April 14, 2018 |first=Ben |last=Strauss |newspaper=Politico |access-date=May 29, 2018 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/05/11/how-john-kellys-family-history-compares-to-the-immigrants-he-wants-to-keep-from-entering/ |title=How John Kelly's family history compares with the immigrants he wants to keep from entering |first=Philip |last=Bump |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 11, 2018 |access-date=May 29, 2018 }}{{cite web | title=Nominations before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Second Session, 112th Congress | url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112shrg80073/pdf/CHRG-112shrg80073.pdf | publisher=Government Printing Office | access-date=December 13, 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120184840/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112shrg80073/pdf/CHRG-112shrg80073.pdf | archive-date=January 20, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news | title=General rises from Brighton to White House | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/07/son-brighton-nominated-lead-homeland-security/Yifyu8x6bDvufdKhzREaxL/story.html | author=Maria Sacchetti | newspaper=The Boston Globe | date=December 8, 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729213556/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/07/son-brighton-nominated-lead-homeland-security/Yifyu8x6bDvufdKhzREaxL/story.html | archive-date=July 29, 2017 | df=mdy-all }} His father was a postal worker in Brighton.{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/news/2017/07/john-kelly-children-family-kids-robert-kathleen-jr-wife-karen-dad-age/|title=John Kelly's Family & Children: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|publisher=heavy.com|author=Dwilson, Stephanie Dube|date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913010824/http://heavy.com/news/2017/07/john-kelly-children-family-kids-robert-kathleen-jr-wife-karen-dad-age/|archive-date=September 13, 2017}} He grew up in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Before the age of 16, he hitchhiked to Washington state and rode the trains back, including a freight-hop from Seattle to Chicago.{{cite magazine | title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Gen. John Kelly | url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-01-17/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-gen-john-kelly | author=Sara Clarke | magazine=U.S. News & World Report | date=January 17, 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202064740/http://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-01-17/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-gen-john-kelly | archive-date=February 2, 2017 | df=mdy-all }} He then served for one year in the United States Merchant Marine, where he says "my first time overseas was taking 10,000 tons of beer to Vietnam".{{cite news | last1=Keenan | first1=Sergeant Eric | title=Gen. John F. Kelly reflects on 45 years of service | url=http://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/643057/gen-john-f-kelly-reflects-on-45-years-of-service/ | access-date=December 13, 2016 | publisher=U.S. Marine Corps | date=January 14, 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220084044/http://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/643057/gen-john-f-kelly-reflects-on-45-years-of-service/ | archive-date=December 20, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}

In 1970, when his mother told him that his draft number was coming up, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in an infantry company with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was discharged to the inactive reserve as a sergeant in 1972 so that he could attend college. He returned to active duty with the Marines in 1975, completed Officer Candidates School, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on December 27, 1975.{{cite web | title=John F. Kelly, Former Commander, U.S. Southern Command | url=https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Article/602724/retired-general-john-f-kelly/ | publisher=U.S. Department of Defense | access-date=December 13, 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210193221/http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/602724/john-f-kelly | archive-date=December 10, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}{{PD-notice}} In 1976, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston and in 1984, he received a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service.{{cite web | title=Secretary Johnson Swears in New Members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council | url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/06/02/secretary-johnson-swears-new-members-homeland-security-advisory-council | publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security | date=June 2, 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053716/https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/06/02/secretary-johnson-swears-new-members-homeland-security-advisory-council | archive-date=February 2, 2017 | df=mdy-all }} In 1995, Kelly graduated from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., with a Master of Science in strategic studies.

Kelly returned to the Second Marine Division where he served as a rifle platoon and weapons platoon commander, company executive officer, assistant operations officer, and rifle company commander. Sea duty in Mayport, Florida, followed, at which time he served aboard aircraft carriers {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59}} and {{USS|Independence|CV-62}}. In 1980, then-Captain Kelly attended the U.S. Army's Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. After graduation, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., serving there from 1981 through 1984, as an assignment monitor. Kelly returned to the Second Marine Division in 1984, to command a rifle company and weapons company. Promoted to major in 1987, he then served as a battalion operations officer.

File:John F. Kelly, 2012.jpg

File:John Warner and John Kelly.png hold a briefing regarding the status of investigations into the Haditha incident on May 25, 2006.]]

In 1987, Kelly transferred to the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, serving first as the head of the Offensive Tactics Section, Tactics Group, and later assuming the duties of the director of the Infantry Officer Course. After three years of instructing young officers, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the School for Advanced Warfare, both located at Quantico.

Completing duty under instruction and selected for lieutenant colonel, he was assigned as commanding officer, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (1st LAR), 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. During his tenure, 1st LAR was called in to provide augmentation support for police in the city of Long Beach, California during the Los Angeles riots of 1992. Holding this command position for two years, Kelly returned to the East Coast in 1994, to attend the National War College in Washington, D.C. He graduated in 1995 and was selected to serve as the commandant's liaison officer to the U.S. House of Representatives, Capitol Hill, where he was promoted to colonel.

In 1999, Kelly transferred to joint duty and served as the special assistant to the supreme allied commander, Europe, in Mons, Belgium. He returned to the United States in 2001 and was assigned to a third tour of duty at Camp Lejeune, now as the assistant chief of staff G-3 with the Second Marine Division. In 2002, Kelly again served with the 1st Marine Division, this time as the assistant division commander. Much of Kelly's two-year assignment was spent deployed in Iraq. In March 2003, while in Iraq, Kelly was promoted to brigadier general, which was the first known promotion of a Marine Corps colonel in an active combat zone since that of another First Marine Division assistant division commander, Chesty Puller, in January 1951.{{cite web | access-date=November 27, 2008 | title=With the 1st Marine Division in Iraq, 2003 | url=http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/With%20the%201st%20Marine%20Division%20in%20Iraq,%202003%20%20PCN%2010600000000_12.pdf | pages=173–174 | quote=The division accomplished some important tasks during this brief respite. With Secretary of Defense authority, the commanding general frocked Colonel John F. Kelly, the assistant division commander, to the grade of brigadier general at the division forward COC located in the South Rumaylah oil fields. The last known promotion of a Marine Corps brigadier general in an active combat zone was that of an earlier 1st Marine Division ADC—then Colonel Lewis B. 'Chesty' Puller in Korea. | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123023743/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/With%20the%201st%20Marine%20Division%20in%20Iraq%2C%202003%20%20PCN%2010600000000_12.pdf | archive-date=November 23, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}

In April 2003, Kelly took command of the newly formed Task Force Tripoli and drove it north from Baghdad into Samarra and Tikrit.{{cite book|last=Reynolds|first=Col. Nicholas E.|title=Basrah, Baghdad, and Beyond: U.S. Marines in Iraq, 2003|publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2007|pages=107–112|chapter=Ch. 8. No Smell of Salt Water: North to Tikrit, South to Ad Diwaniyah|chapter-url=http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20Iraq,%202003%20Basrah,%20Baghdad%20and%20Beyond%20%20PCN%2010600000200_6.pdf|id=PCN 10600000200|access-date=November 29, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220121918/http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20Iraq%2C%202003%20Basrah%2C%20Baghdad%20and%20Beyond%20%20PCN%2010600000200_6.pdf|archive-date=December 20, 2016}} Kelly has stated that during the initial assault on Baghdad he was asked by a reporter for The Los Angeles Times if, considering the size of the Iraqi Army and the vast supplies of tanks, artillery and chemical weapons available to Saddam's forces, he would ever consider defeat. Kelly's response, as recounted by him at a 2007 San Diego Military Advisory Council networking breakfast, was, "hell these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal and took Iwo Jima, Baghdad ain't shit." [sic]{{cite web | url=http://www.blackfive.net/main/2007/09/marine-general-.html | title=Marine General Speaks Out | publisher=Blackfive | date=September 19, 2007 | access-date=August 22, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606143217/http://www.blackfive.net/main/2007/09/marine-general-.html | archive-date=June 6, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}

File:Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command, discusses the latest developments in his command's efforts to stem the flow of drugs from South and Central America while briefing reporters 140313-D-NI589-035c.jpg

His next assignment was as legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps, Michael Hagee. In January 2007, Kelly was nominated for major general,{{cite news | access-date=November 27, 2008 | url=http://www.defensedaily.com/articles/pm/2007/pm010607.html | title=Personnel Moves — January 6, 2007 | work=Defense Daily | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709011252/http://www.defensedaily.com/articles/pm/2007/pm010607.html | archive-date=July 9, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/executive_calendar/2007/06_25_2007.pdf|title=Executive calendar|date=June 25, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520193405/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/executive_calendar/2007/06_25_2007.pdf|archive-date=May 20, 2017}} and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 11, 2007.{{cite web | access-date=November 27, 2008 | url=https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/noms_confn.htm | publisher=United States Senate | title=Nominations Confirmed (Non-Civilian) | date=September 11, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926194917/https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/noms_confn.htm | archive-date=September 26, 2007 | quote=September 11, 2007 PN199-2 MARINE CORPS The following named officers for appointment in the United States Marine Corps to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: Brig. Gen. John F. Kelly, 7821, to be Major General | df=mdy-all }}

Kelly's next assignment, in July 2007, was as commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).{{cite web |url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=4&PERSON_TYPE=General|title=Official Biography: Major General John F. Kelly, I Marine Expeditionary Force|publisher=United States Marine Corps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430124847/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=4&PERSON_TYPE=General |archive-date=April 30, 2011|url-status=dead |access-date=November 27, 2008}} On February 9, 2008, Kelly assumed command of the Multi-National Force–West in Iraq, replacing Major General Walter E. Gaskin.{{cite web | access-date=November 27, 2008 | url=http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16926&Itemid=128 | title=MNF-W conducts transfer of authority ceremony (Al Anbar) | date=February 9, 2008 | location=Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory | publisher=Multi-National Force–Iraq | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019114304/http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16926&Itemid=128 | archive-date=October 19, 2008 | df=mdy-all }} After a year in Iraq, Kelly returned to the United States in February 2009.{{cite web | access-date=January 30, 2009 | url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100049706 | title=Marine Commander's Iraq Tour Ends With Optimism | format=broadcast | work=Morning Edition | publisher=NPR | date=January 30, 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911080618/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100049706 | archive-date=September 11, 2015 | df=mdy-all }}

Kelly was nominated for lieutenant general on March 9, 2011, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 16, 2011.{{cite web |title=PN324 — Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly — Marine Corps |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/112th-congress/324 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=August 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802081313/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/112th-congress/324 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |date=2011-03-16 }}

Kelly was the senior military assistant to the secretary of defense and personally greeted Secretary Leon Panetta at the entrance to the Pentagon on July 1, 2011, Panetta's first day as secretary.{{cite news | last1=Burns | first1=Robert | title=Panetta sworn in as Obama's second defense secretary | url=http://www.tbo.com/list/military-news/panetta-sworn-in-as-obamas-second-defense-secretary-241157 | access-date=January 4, 2017 | publisher=The Associated Press | date=July 1, 2011 | url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084435/http://www.tbo.com/list/military-news/panetta-sworn-in-as-obamas-second-defense-secretary-241157 | archive-date=January 5, 2017 | df=mdy-all}} Kelly was nominated for General on January 31, 2012, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 26, 2012.{{cite web |title=PN1242 – Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly – Marine Corps |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/112th-congress/1242 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=August 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802041524/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/112th-congress/1242 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |date=2012-07-26 }} He succeeded General Douglas M. Fraser as commander of U.S. Southern Command on November 19, 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/how-john-kellys-final-military-tour-hardened-his-views-on-border-security/2018/01/06/8ac11db0-de9b-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html?tid=ss_tw |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=In Latin America, John Kelly trained for a job serving Trump |first=Nick |last=Miroff |date=January 7, 2018 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210064751/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/how-john-kellys-final-military-tour-hardened-his-views-on-border-security/2018/01/06/8ac11db0-de9b-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html?tid=ss_tw |archive-date=February 10, 2018 }}

In a May 2014 speech regarding the War on Terror, Kelly said:

If you think this war against our way of life is over because some of the self-appointed opinion-makers and chattering class grow 'war weary,' because they want to be out of Iraq or Afghanistan, you are mistaken. This enemy is dedicated to our destruction. He will fight us for generations, and the conflict will move through various phases as it has since 9/11.{{cite web|last=Scarborough|first=Rowan|title=General: Millennial Marines shun self-absorbed culture|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/7/general-millennial-marines-shun-self-absorbed-cult/|work=Washington Times|date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929142136/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/7/general-millennial-marines-shun-self-absorbed-cult/|archive-date=September 29, 2020}}

Kelly was succeeded as commander by Navy admiral Kurt W. Tidd on January 14, 2016.

File:POTUS visits DHS (32431456701).jpg

On December 7, 2016, then President-elect Donald Trump nominated Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a cabinet-level position.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/politics/john-kelly-dhs-trump.html |title=John Kelly, Retired Marine General, Is Trump's Choice to Lead Homeland Security |newspaper=New York Times |date=December 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227032012/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/politics/john-kelly-dhs-trump.html |archive-date=December 27, 2016 |last1=Landler |first1=Mark |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie }} People familiar with the transition said that Trump's team was drawn to Kelly because of his southwest border expertise.{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/Retired-Marine-Gen-John-F-Kelly-picked-to-head-homeland-security.html |title=Retired Marine General John F Kelly picked to head Homeland Security |publisher=philly.com |date=December 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729173440/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/Retired-Marine-Gen-John-F-Kelly-picked-to-head-homeland-security.html |archive-date=July 29, 2017 }} On January 20, 2017, Kelly was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security by the United States Senate with a vote of 88–11.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00030 |title=Senate vote on John F. Kelly nomination |date=January 20, 2017 |publisher=United States Senate |access-date=January 22, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122180036/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00030 |archive-date=January 22, 2017 }} On that evening, he was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence.{{cite news |title=Trump picks Mattis, Kelly sworn in |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/315422-mattis-kelly-sworn-in/ |first=Max |last=Greenwood |work=The Hill |date=January 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123192811/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/315422-mattis-kelly-sworn-in |archive-date=January 23, 2017 }}

In an April 2017 speech at George Washington University, Kelly said, "If lawmakers do not like the laws they've passed and we are charged to enforce, then they should have the courage and skill to change the laws. Otherwise they should shut up and support the men and women on the front lines."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dhs-secretary-kelly-says-congressional-critics-should-shut-up-or-change-laws/2017/04/18/8a2a92b6-2454-11e7-b503-9d616bd5a305_story.html|title=DHS Secretary Kelly says congressional critics should 'shut up' or change laws|date=April 18, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|first=Devlin|last=Barrett|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424080537/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dhs-secretary-kelly-says-congressional-critics-should-shut-up-or-change-laws/2017/04/18/8a2a92b6-2454-11e7-b503-9d616bd5a305_story.html|archive-date=April 24, 2017}}

Kelly indicated days into the administration his interest in having the U.S.–Mexico border wall completed within two years.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/john-kelly-border-wall-fox-interview-234543|title=Kelly: I hope border wall will be 'done within the next two years'|first=Madeline|last=Conway|date=February 2, 2017|work=Politico|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205052438/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/john-kelly-border-wall-fox-interview-234543|archive-date=February 5, 2017}} On April 21, 2017, Kelly said the U.S.–Mexico border wall would begin construction "by the end of the summer."{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/21/politics/jeff-sessions-john-kelly-border-wall-cnntv/|first=Eugene|last=Scott|title=Kelly: Border wall construction by end of summer|publisher=CNN|date=April 21, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502131318/http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/21/politics/jeff-sessions-john-kelly-border-wall-cnntv/|archive-date=May 2, 2017}} Two days later, Kelly said he believed "a border wall is essential" as there were "tremendous threats" such as drugs and individuals coming into the US.{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2017/04/23/john-kelly-border-wall-government-shutdown/|title=DHS Secretary John Kelly: Border Wall is 'Essential' Despite Looming Government Shutdown|date=April 23, 2017|first=Alana|last=Abramson|work=Fortune|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513131030/http://fortune.com/2017/04/23/john-kelly-border-wall-government-shutdown/|archive-date=May 13, 2017}} On May 2, Kelly stated his surprise in office holders "rejoicing in the fact that the wall will be slower to be built and, consequently, the southwest border under less control than it could be."{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/02/john-kelly-border-wall-funding-237886|title=DHS Secretary Kelly says he's 'shocked' politicians celebrated lack of wall funding|date=May 2, 2017|work=Politico|first=Aidan|last=Quigley|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729010036/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/02/john-kelly-border-wall-funding-237886|archive-date=July 29, 2017}}

In May 2017, Kelly said of terrorism, "It's everywhere. It's constant. It's nonstop. The good news for us in America is we have amazing people protecting us every day. But it can happen here almost anytime." He said that the threat from terrorism was so severe that some people would "never leave the house" if they knew the truth.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/335272-dhs-chief-youd-never-leave-the-house-with-my-terror-info/|title=DHS chief: If you knew what I knew about terror, you'd 'never leave the house'|first=Mark|last=Hensch|date=May 26, 2017|work=The Hill|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716121016/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/335272-dhs-chief-youd-never-leave-the-house-with-my-terror-info|archive-date=July 16, 2017}} In July, Kelly allegedly blocked Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke from taking a position in the DHS, though it was never confirmed.{{cite news|last1=Markay|first1=Lachlan|last2=Suebsaeng|first2=Asawin|title=Sheriff Clarke Was in Talks for a Trump White House Job—Then John Kelly Killed It|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/sheriff-clarke-was-in-talks-for-a-trump-white-house-jobthen-john-kelly-killed-it|newspaper=The Daily Beast|access-date=September 7, 2017|date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906151656/http://www.thedailybeast.com/sheriff-clarke-was-in-talks-for-a-trump-white-house-jobthen-john-kelly-killed-it|archive-date=September 6, 2017}}

Of his tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security, USA Today wrote, "Kelly oversaw some of the most controversial policies of Trump's agenda, including a travel ban targeting several majority-Muslim countries, a reduction in refugee admissions and stepped-up deportations of undocumented immigrants."{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/31/chief-staff-john-kelly-steady-loyal-role-homeland-security/524911001/|title=Chief of staff Kelly's record at Homeland Security shows steady, loyal leadership|work=USA TODAY|access-date=October 26, 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026112308/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/31/chief-staff-john-kelly-steady-loyal-role-homeland-security/524911001/|archive-date=October 26, 2017}} According to the New Yorker, Kelly left the DHS with a:

...reputation as one of the most aggressive enforcers of immigration law in recent American history. His record belies the short length of his tenure. In six months, Kelly eliminated guidelines that governed federal immigration agents' work; vastly expanded the categories of immigrants being targeted for deportation; threatened to abandon the Obama-era program that grants legal status to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children; and has even broached the idea of splitting up mothers and children at the border to "deter" people from coming to the U.S.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/evaluating-john-kellys-record-at-homeland-security|title=Evaluating John Kelly's Record at Homeland Security|last=Blitzer|first=Jonathan|date=August 1, 2017|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=October 26, 2017|issn=0028-792X|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026111328/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/evaluating-john-kellys-record-at-homeland-security|archive-date=October 26, 2017|df=mdy-all}}

The DHS under Kelly "became one of the few branches of the federal government that has been both willing and able to execute Trump's policy priorities." Unlike other agency heads, Kelly did not clash with Trump.

File:Munich Security Conference (32187823044).jpg 2017]]

Trump appointed Kelly to the post of White House chief of staff on July 28, 2017, replacing Reince Priebus. Priebus's ousting and Kelly's appointment followed an internal power struggle within the White House.{{cite news|newspaper=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/reince-priebus-white-house-trump.html?smid=tw-share|title=Reince Priebus Pushed Out After Rocky Tenure as Trump Chief of Staff|author1=Baker, Peter|author2=Haberman, Maggie|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729021432/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/reince-priebus-white-house-trump.html?smid=tw-share|archive-date=July 29, 2017|date=2017-07-29}} Kelly took office on July 31, 2017.{{cite web |title=Statement from Press Secretary Dave Lapan on Homeland Security Leadership |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/07/28/statement-press-secretary-dave-lapan-homeland-security-leadership |work=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |date=July 28, 2017 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729052948/https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/07/28/statement-press-secretary-dave-lapan-homeland-security-leadership |archive-date=July 29, 2017}} That same day, with Trump's approval, Kelly removed Anthony Scaramucci from his role as White House communications director just ten days after Scaramucci was appointed to that role. Reportedly, Kelly had requested permission to remove Scaramucci after "Scaramucci had boasted about reporting directly to the president, not the chief of staff."{{Cite news|author=Maggie Haberman, Michael D. Shear & Glenn Thrush|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/us/politics/anthony-scaramucci-white-house.html|title=Trump Removes Anthony Scaramucci From Communications Director Role|date=July 31, 2017|newspaper=New York Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731183613/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/us/politics/anthony-scaramucci-white-house.html|archive-date=July 31, 2017}} On August 18, 2017, Kelly removed Steve Bannon from his role as White House chief strategist on behalf of President Trump.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-white-house.html |title=Stephen Bannon Out at the White House After Turbulent Run |access-date=August 18, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818172041/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-white-house.html |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2017-08-14 |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Shear |first2=Michael D. |last3=Thrush |first3=Glenn }} In September 2017, Kelly folded the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, which was led by Peter Navarro, into the National Economic Council, which meant that Navarro would report to NEC director Gary Cohn.{{Cite news |title=Kelly folds Navarro's trade shop into National Economic Council |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/27/peter-navarro-trade-office-national-economic-council-243217 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005903/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/27/peter-navarro-trade-office-national-economic-council-243217 |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2017 |work=Politico}}

Early into his tenure, media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and FiveThirtyEight speculated that Kelly would bring moderation and discipline to the White House.{{Cite news|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-the-media-bungled-the-john-kelly-story/|title=How The Media Bungled The John Kelly Story|last=Bacon|first=Perry Jr.|date=February 20, 2018|work=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/john-kelly-chief-of-staff-donald-trump.html|title=John Kelly, New Chief of Staff, Is Seen as Beacon of Discipline|last1=Nixon|first1=Ron|date=July 28, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 20, 2018|last2=Shear|first2=Michael D.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-john-kelly-trump-gets-a-plain-spoken-disciplinarian-as-his-chief-of-staff/2017/07/28/0c29cfc2-73db-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html|title=In John Kelly, Trump gets a plain-spoken disciplinarian as his chief of staff|last1=Jaffe|first1=Greg|date=July 28, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 20, 2018|last2=deGrandpre|first2=Andrew|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}} In August 2017, early into Kelly's tenure, The Washington Post wrote that Kelly had "left no discernible imprint on the White House's philosophy" and that it was unclear if he would bring calm and rigor to the White House.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/john-kelly-is-an-apolitical-force-in-a-white-house-divided-by-ideology/2017/08/08/6a14cd4a-7c4a-11e7-9d08-b79f191668ed_story.html|title=Even in North Korea crisis, retired general John Kelly is an apolitical force in a White House divided by ideology|last1=Costa|first1=Robert|date=August 9, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 26, 2017|last2=Rucker|first2=Philip|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026113129/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/john-kelly-is-an-apolitical-force-in-a-white-house-divided-by-ideology/2017/08/08/6a14cd4a-7c4a-11e7-9d08-b79f191668ed_story.html|archive-date=October 26, 2017}} In a lengthy October 2017 article on Kelly's tenure, Peter Baker, of The New York Times, wrote that "for all of the talk of Mr. Kelly as a moderating force and the so-called grown-up in the room, it turns out that he harbors strong feelings on patriotism, national security and immigration that mirror the hard-line views of his outspoken boss."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/25/us/politics/trump-kelly.html|title=Pitched as Calming Force, John Kelly Instead Mirrors Boss's Priorities|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=October 25, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 26, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026020403/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/25/us/politics/trump-kelly.html|archive-date=October 26, 2017}} By February 2018, Kelly had emerged as a hardliner on several issues, particularly on immigration. He supported the administration's policy of separating children from their parents as a means of deterring illegal immigration, and he rejected the idea that family separation was inhumane, telling an NPR reporter, "The children will be taken care of — put into foster care or whatever."{{cite news |title=Transcript: White House Chief Of Staff John Kelly's Interview With NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/05/11/610116389/transcript-white-house-chief-of-staff-john-kellys-interview-with-npr |agency=NPR |date=May 11, 2018}} He was also embroiled in controversy after defending an aide who was accused of domestic violence,{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/john-kellys-credibility-is-at-risk-after-defending-aide-accused-of-domestic-violence/2018/02/08/e8e1ff06-0ccf-11e8-8890-372e2047c935_story.html|title=John Kelly's credibility is at risk after defending aide accused of domestic violence|last=Rucker|first=Philip|date=February 8, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}} and there were reports of pressure on Kelly to resign.{{cite news|first=David|last=Smith|date=10 February 2018|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/09/john-kelly-from-the-designated-white-house-grownup-to-trumps-enabler|title=Pressure grows on John Kelly amid reports he offered to resign|newspaper=The Guardian}}

When Trump arrived in Singapore in June 2018 for the North Korea–United States summit, The New York Times reported that Kelly had told a recent group of visiting American senators that the White House was "a miserable place to work."{{cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Rogers |first2=Katie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/10/us/politics/trump-turnover.html |title='Drama, Action, Emotional Power': As Exhausted Aides Eye the Exits, Trump Is Re-energized |work=The New York Times |date=June 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610192419/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/10/us/politics/trump-turnover.html |archive-date=June 10, 2018 |url-status=live}} The reported comment renewed months-long speculation that Kelly would resign from his job as White House chief of staff.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/john-kelly-white-house-miserable-place-to-work-2018-6|title=John Kelly is reportedly eyeing the exit and called the White House 'a miserable place to work'|last=Cranley|first=Ellen|date=June 11, 2018|work=Business Insider|access-date=June 11, 2018}}

According to several news outlets in early 2018, Kelly's influence in the White House had been diminished and Trump made several key decisions without his presence.{{cite web | last1=Jacobs | first1=Jennifer | title=Kelly Loses White House Clout as Trump Blazes Own Path | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-29/kelly-is-said-to-lose-white-house-clout-as-trump-blazes-own-path | date=March 29, 2018 | work=Bloomberg News | access-date=March 29, 2018}}{{cite web | last1=Stanage | first1=Niall | title=The Memo: Kelly Said to be Losing Influence with Trump | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381713-the-memo-kelly-said-to-be-losing-influence-with-trump/ | date=April 5, 2018 |magazine=The Hill | access-date=April 5, 2018}}{{cite web | title=Trump Freezes Out Chief of Staff John Kelly, Says He's "Tired of Being Told 'No'" | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-freezes-out-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-says-hes-tired-of-being-told-no/ | date=April 6, 2018 | website=CBS News | access-date=April 6, 2018}} On December 7, 2018, CNN and others reported that Kelly and Trump were no longer on speaking terms and that Kelly was expected to resign in the coming days.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/07/politics/john-kelly-chief-of-staff-donald-trump/index.html|title=Kelly expected to resign soon, no longer on speaking terms with Trump|last=Collins|first=Kaitlin|date=December 7, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=December 7, 2018}} On December 8, Trump announced that Kelly would be leaving at the end of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gUgBcabghU|title=President Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure|date=December 8, 2018| publisher=White House}} On December 14, 2018, the White House announced that Mick Mulvaney would replace John Kelly as the White House chief of staff.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mick-mulvaney-to-replace-john-kelly-as-acting-chief-of-staff-trump-says|title=Mick Mulvaney to replace John Kelly as 'acting' chief of staff, Trump says|last=Pappas|first=Alex|date=December 14, 2018|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=December 14, 2018}}

On the day after the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Kelly said he supported Trump's removal from office by use of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, adding, "What happened on Capitol Hill yesterday is a direct result of his poisoning the minds of people with the lies and the frauds."{{cite news |last1=Cole |first1=Devan |title=Trump's ex-White House chief of staff John Kelly supports using 25th Amendment to remove the President |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/john-kelly-trump-25th-amendment-capitol-riot-cnntv/index.html |website=CNN |date=January 7, 2021}}

Kelly released a statement in October 2023 confirming much of the 2020 reporting by Jeffrey Goldberg that Trump had expressed disdain for veterans and American servicemembers killed in action. Kelly harshly condemned Trump in several respects, characterizing him as "a person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law."{{cite news |last1=Tapper |first1=Jake |title=Exclusive: John Kelly goes on the record to confirm several disturbing stories about Trump |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=October 3, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Jeffrey |title=Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are 'Losers' and 'Suckers' |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/ |work=The Atlantic |date=September 3, 2020}}

In an October 2024 interview with Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times, Kelly again remarked on Trump's recent comments about using the military against the "enemy within" the United States. Kelly said Trump met the definition of a fascist, would govern like a dictator if allowed, and had no understanding of the Constitution or the concept of rule of law. He confirmed previous reports that Trump had made admiring statements about Adolf Hitler and had expressed contempt for disabled veterans and those who had died. He said Trump wrongly believed that the uniformed and retired senior generals he brought in to work for him would be loyal to him above all else, including the Constitution.{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Michael S. |title=As Election Nears, Kelly Warns Trump Would Rule Like a Dictator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/us/politics/john-kelly-trump-fitness-character.html# |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=New York Times |date=23 October 2024}}

In January 2017, The Intercept reported that Kelly failed to disclose his position as vice-chair on the Spectrum Group, a defense contractor lobbying firm, on his ethics form, while taking a position at the Department of Homeland Security.{{cite web |title=Homeland Security Pick Gen. John Kelly Fails to Disclose Ties to Defense Contractors |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/01/17/homeland-security-pick-gen-john-kelly-fails-to-disclose-ties-to-defense-contractors/|website=The Intercept |last=Fang|first=Lee|date=January 17, 2017 |access-date=July 12, 2019}} In 2019, Kelly's appointment to the board of Caliburn International, a subsidiary of DC Capital Partners that operates for-profit detention facilities for migrant children at the Southern Border and in Florida, raised conflict of interest concerns. Some members of Congress have described "prison-like" living conditions in the company's facility in Homestead.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-04 |title=Ex-Trump aide on board of company that detains migrant kids |url=https://apnews.com/article/dc26365872f54193bac677ffed3d4d2d |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=AP News |language=en}} Caliburn CEO James Van Dusen said, "With four decades of military and humanitarian leadership, in-depth understanding of international affairs and knowledge of current economic drivers around the world, General Kelly is a strong strategic addition to our team." Candidates in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries objected, including Cory Booker, who said Kelly's actions in joining the board were "disgusting," and Elizabeth Warren, who called his role, "corruption at its absolute worst."{{cite web|url=https://foxreno.com/news/nation-world/ex-trump-aide-join-company-that-operates-largest-facility-detaining-undocumented-kids|title=Ex-Trump aide joins company that operates largest facility detaining undocumented kids|website=Fox 11|first=Adriana Gomez|last=Licon|agency=Associated Press|date=May 3, 2019|accessdate=December 14, 2019}} In July 2019, the House Oversight Committee announced it was probing Kelly's conflict of interest in the camps while he was the White House Chief of Staff.{{cite news |last1=Gillman |first1=Todd |date=July 11, 2019|title=House panel prods migrant detention firms for info, suggests conflict by Trump's ex-chief of staff |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2019/07/11/house-panel-prods-migrant-detention-firms-info-suggests-conflict-trumps-ex-chief-staff |access-date=July 12, 2019 |work=Dallas News}}{{Cite web|first=Graham|last=Kates|date=May 3, 2019 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-kelly-joins-board-of-caliburn-international-company-operating-largest-unaccompanied-migrant-children-shelter/|title=John Kelly joins board of company operating largest shelter for unaccompanied migrant children|website=CBS News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-03}}

In October 2017, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) criticized Trump for his phone call to the widow of a slain U.S. soldier, saying his remarks had been insensitive. Wilson had been in the widow's car when Trump had called her.{{cite news|url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/10/17/trump-insensitive-call-soldier-widow/|title=Rep. Wilson calls Trump 'insensitive' for telling widow of soldier "he knew what he signed up for'|date=October 17, 2017|work=CBS Miami|access-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020301/http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/10/17/trump-insensitive-call-soldier-widow/|archive-date=November 7, 2017}} A few days later, Kelly held a press briefing where he defended Trump's phone call, which he had overheard, saying Trump "expressed his condolences in the best way that he could." Kelly harshly criticized Wilson, calling her "the empty barrel that makes the most noise" and stating that in a 2015 speech Wilson had "stood up" to inappropriately claim credit for securing federal funding for an FBI building in her district.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356266-john-kelly-stunned-at-description-of-trumps-call-to-soldiers-widow/|title=John Kelly defends Trump on calls, lashes out at Florida Democrat|last1=Fabian|first1=Jordan|last2=Easley|first2=Jonathan|date=October 19, 2017|work=The Hill|access-date=October 24, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020062530/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356266-john-kelly-stunned-at-description-of-trumps-call-to-soldiers-widow|archive-date=October 20, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/19/john-kelly-frederica-wilson-trump-243956|title=Kelly emotionally defends Trump's call to military widow|last=McCaskill|first=Nolan D.|date=October 19, 2017|work=Politico|access-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021004237/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/19/john-kelly-frederica-wilson-trump-243956|archive-date=October 21, 2017}} The South Florida Sun-Sentinel found video of her 2015 speech which showed his description to be inaccurate. PolitiFact published an article fact-checking Kelly's comments, which were ruled 'false'; the article stated that Kelly had "mischaracterized her remarks in significant ways".{{cite news |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/oct/20/john-kelly/fact-checking-john-kelly-frederica-wilsons-2015-sp/|title=Fact-checking John Kelly on Frederica Wilson's 2015 speech |first=Louis|last=Johnson|newspaper=PolitiFact |date=October 20, 2017 |access-date=April 11, 2023 |quote= The effort she bragged about was initially requested by the FBI itself, and her actions were made in service of honoring the memory of the two slain agents. She also shared the credit, saying it could not have been accomplished without the help of her Republican colleagues, including then-House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. }} Later that month, while in an interview with conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, Kelly said he stood by his comments on Wilson and would never apologize for his comments. Kelly said he would "talk about before her comments and at the reception afterwards" as a "package deal", but refused to elaborate further.{{cite web|last1=Leary|first1=Alex|title=John Kelly says he will 'never' apologize to Frederica Wilson|url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/10/30/john-kelly-says-he-will-never-apologize-to-frederica-wilson/|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031061907/http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/10/30/john-kelly-says-he-will-never-apologize-to-frederica-wilson/|archive-date=October 31, 2017}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/john-kelly-laura-ingraham-interview |magazine=Vanity Fair |first=Tina |last=Nguyen |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |title=John Kelly, in Spicer Moment, Calls Robert E. Lee 'Honorable Man' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031041313/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/john-kelly-laura-ingraham-interview |archive-date=October 31, 2017 }}

In the same October 2017 interview with Laura Ingraham, Kelly said that "the lack of ability to compromise led to the Civil War." He also described Robert E. Lee as an "honorable man" who "gave up ... his country to fight for his state," and claimed, "men and women of good faith on both sides made their stand where their conscience had to make their stand."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/31/us/john-kelly-civil-war.html|title=John Kelly Pins Civil War on a 'Lack of Ability to Compromise'|last=Astor|first=Maggie|date=October 31, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031084528/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/31/us/john-kelly-civil-war.html|archive-date=October 31, 2017}} Several historians of the Civil War described Kelly's remarks as ignorant, and as a misuse of history reminiscent of Lost Cause mythology. They also broadly reject Kelly's remark that a failure to compromise led to the Civil War, noting that the war was predominantly fought over slavery and that a number of compromises on slavery were made in the lead-up to the war.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/10/31/historians-respond-to-john-kellys-civil-war-remarks-strange-sad-wrong/|title=Analysis {{!}} Historians respond to John F. Kelly's Civil War remarks: 'Strange,' 'sad,' 'wrong'|last=Bump|first=Philip|date=October 31, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031161530/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/10/31/historians-respond-to-john-kellys-civil-war-remarks-strange-sad-wrong/|archive-date=October 31, 2017}} The White House defended Kelly's remarks, citing non-fiction writer and historian Shelby Foote.{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/358059-white-house-defends-kellys-civil-war-remarks/ |newspaper=The Hill |date=October 31, 2017 |title=White House defends Kelly's Civil War remarks |access-date=November 1, 2017 |first=Ellen |last=Mitchell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101012214/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/358059-white-house-defends-kellys-civil-war-remarks |archive-date=November 1, 2017 }}

On February 6, 2018, Kelly made recorded remarks concerning a discrepancy between how many had enrolled in DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and how many were to be offered a path to citizenship, by saying "The difference between 690 [thousand] and 1.8 million were the people that some would say were too afraid to sign up; others would say are too lazy to get off their asses, but they didn't sign up".{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5136113/john-kelly-daca/|title=Donald Trump's Chief of Staff Suggested People Don't Sign Up for DACA Out of Laziness|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2018|date=February 6, 2018|first=Alana|last=Abramson|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210064751/http://time.com/5136113/john-kelly-daca/|archive-date=February 10, 2018}}

In February 2018, The New York Times reported that Kelly had been in a physical confrontation with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. According to anonymous sources, Kelly had a heated argument with Lewandowski in which he accused him of profiting off Trump's presidency. This led to Kelly grabbing Lewandowski by the collar and pushing him up against the wall just outside the Oval Office. The sources said Lewandowski did not respond physically to Kelly, and when Secret Service agents arrived, Lewandowski and Kelly went their separate ways.{{Cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|author-link1=Maggie Haberman|last2=Rogers|first2=Katie|date=2018-10-22|title=The Day John Kelly and Corey Lewandowski Squared Off Outside the Oval Office|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/us/politics/john-kelly-lewandowski-fight-secret-service.html|access-date=2022-01-19|issn=0362-4331}}

On February 7, 2018, White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigned in the wake of reports that his two ex-wives accused him of domestic abuse, allegations that Porter said are false and "a coordinated smear campaign".{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/07/white-house-aide-rob-porter-resigns-after-allegations-from-ex-wives-397407|title=White House aide Rob Porter resigns after allegations from two ex-wives|work=POLITICO|access-date=February 7, 2018|date=February 7, 2018|first1=Andrew|last1=Restuccia|first2=Eliana|last2=Johnson|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207202306/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/07/white-house-aide-rob-porter-resigns-after-allegations-from-ex-wives-397407|archive-date=February 7, 2018}} One ex-wife had a protective order from 2010 against Porter, and the other had photographic evidence of the alleged abuse. The protective order had prevented Porter from obtaining a full security clearance, though the order's associated ex-wife said Porter's "integrity and ability to do his job is impeccable". According to an unnamed senior administration official, Kelly was aware of the protective order and the domestic abuse allegations, and had promoted Porter within the White House.{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/rob-porter-white-house-who-knew/index.html|title=White House officials knew about Porter's abuse allegations|first1=Kaitlan|last1=Collins|first2=Kevin|last2=Liptak|first3=Dan|last3=Merica|work=CNN|access-date=February 8, 2018|date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208002401/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/rob-porter-white-house-who-knew/index.html|archive-date=February 8, 2018}} Approached by media about the allegations, Kelly initially praised Porter, saying he was a "man of true integrity and honor, and I can't say enough good things about him. He is a friend, a confidante and a trusted professional. I am proud to serve alongside him." Per an unnamed White House official, Porter resigned over the objections of Kelly, who had worked closely with Porter since becoming White House Chief of Staff.{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/rob-porter-white-house-resignation/index.html|title=White House aide denies abuse allegations but resigns|first1=Kevin|last1=Liptak|first2=Betsy|last2=Klein|first3=Kaitlan|last3=Collins|work=CNN|access-date=February 8, 2018|date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207221935/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/rob-porter-white-house-resignation/index.html|archive-date=February 7, 2018}}

In a February 8 email to White House staff, Kelly wrote, "While we are all processing the shocking and troubling allegations made against a former White House staffer, I want you to know that we all take matters of domestic violence very seriously. Domestic violence is abhorrent and has no place in our society".{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-lives-being-destroyed-by-a-mere-allegation-after-staffers-resign-over-domestic-abuse-claims/ |title=Trump says lives being destroyed by 'a mere allegation' after staffers resign over domestic abuse claims |first=Adam |last=Shaw |publisher=Fox News |date=February 10, 2018 |access-date=February 10, 2018 }} On February 9, 2018, The Washington Post reported that Kelly had instructed senior staff and aides to tell reporters that Kelly took immediate action to fire Porter upon hearing that domestic abuse allegations were credible; the Post noted this "version of events contradicts both the public record and accounts from numerous other White House officials in recent days as the Porter drama unfolded."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/kelly-offers-account-of-porter-exit-that-some-white-house-aides-consider-untrue/2018/02/09/119feb7e-0db1-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html|title=Kelly offers account of Porter exit that some White House aides consider untrue|last1=Rucker|first1=Philip|date=February 9, 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=February 9, 2018|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209175959/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/kelly-offers-account-of-porter-exit-that-some-white-house-aides-consider-untrue/2018/02/09/119feb7e-0db1-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html|archive-date=February 9, 2018}} Kelly told reporters on March 2, 2018 that he sought Porter's resignation immediately after learning of the accusations on February 6 and regretted his handling of Porter's departure.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/john-kelly-says-resignation-of-top-aide-rob-porter-was-mishandled-1520019797 |title=John Kelly Says Resignation of Top Aide Rob Porter Was Mishandled |first=Michael C. |last=Bender |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 2, 2018 |access-date=March 5, 2018 |url-access=subscription }}

In August 2018, a tape was released of Kelly firing White House staffer Omarosa Manigault in the Situation Room, and allegedly threatening her legally as well as reputationally, saying to her: "I'd like to see this be a friendly departure. There are pretty significant legal issues that we hope don't develop into something that, that'll make it ugly for you."{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/13/omarosa-jared-ivanka-tapes-775712|title=Omarosa claims to have secretly recorded Jared and Ivanka|first1=Eliana|last1=Johnson|first2=Annie|last2=Karni|date=August 13, 2018|publisher=Politico}} When questioned whether the President knew of the firing, Kelly replied: "The [White House] staff, and everybody on the staff, works for me and not the president." Kelly's use of the Situation Room to isolate and fire Manigault also led to controversy about potential misuse of the high-security facility by Kelly, as well as the fact he was unknowingly recorded within it.{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/8/12/17680884/omarosa-john-kelly-recording-situation-room|title=Omarosa recorded John Kelly in the Situation Room — and she's got the tapes to prove it|first=Emily|last=Stewart|date=August 13, 2018|publisher=VOX}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/corruption-wafts-into-the-situation-room/2018/08/13/8ba75796-9f32-11e8-83d2-70203b8d7b44_story.html|title=Corruption wafts into the Situation Room|first=Jim|last=Hoagland|date=August 13, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post}}

According to New York Times reporter Michael C. Bender in his 2021 book {{'}}Frankly, We Did Win This Election': The Inside Story of How Trump Lost,{{Cite web|last=Moran|first=Lee|date=2021-07-07|title=Trump Reportedly Praised Hitler During Trip Honoring U.S. Troops, New Book Claims|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-hitler-comment-john-kelly_n_60e54831e4b04238fb588116|access-date=2021-07-07|website=HuffPost|language=en}} during a 2018 trip to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, then President Donald Trump told Kelly, "Well, Hitler did a lot of good things", specifically pointing to the recovery of Germany’s economy in the 1930s. The story was first reported on July 6, 2021. The next day, Trump's spokesperson denied that the former president praised Hitler, calling the claim "totally false".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-hitler-john-kelly-good-denies |title=Trump spokesperson denies new book's claim that Trump said Hitler 'did a lot of good things' |date=July 7, 2021 |work=Washington Examiner |first=Mike |last=Brest |access-date=July 8, 2021 }}{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=2021-07-07 |title=Trump told chief of staff Hitler ‘did a lot of good things’, book says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/06/donald-trump-hitler-michael-bender-book |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Kelly also recalled Trump saying that "I need the kind of generals that Hitler had" during a meeting in the White House, and insisted that they were "totally loyal to him" after Kelly pointed out they had tried to kill him multiple times.{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Jeffrey |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Trump: 'I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had' |work=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/10/trump-military-generals-hitler/680327/ |access-date=October 25, 2024 }}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Trump said Hitler 'did some good things' and wanted generals like the Nazis, former chief of staff Kelly claims |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-said-hitler-did-some-good-things-and-wanted-generals-like-the-nazis-former-chief-of-staff-kelly-claims |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}

Kelly married Karen Hernest in 1976. They raised three children together: Robert, John Jr., and Kathleen.{{cite news | title=Karen Kelly (FL) | url=https://my.mcsf.org/mcsf-content-pages/about/biography---karen-kelly | publisher=Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131173040/https://my.mcsf.org/mcsf-content-pages/about/biography---karen-kelly | archive-date=January 31, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}

On November 9, 2010, Kelly's 29-year-old son, First Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly,{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-boston-neighborhood-that-made-john-kelly|newspaper=The Daily Beast|title=The Boston Neighborhood That Made John Kelly|date=August 2, 2017|author=Barnicle, Mike|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203061740/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-boston-neighborhood-that-made-john-kelly|archive-date=December 3, 2017}} was killed in action when he stepped on a land mine while leading a platoon of Marines on a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan.

The younger Kelly was a former enlisted Marine and was on his third combat tour, his first combat tour as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer. At the time of his death, Robert Kelly was with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Robert Kelly's death made John Kelly the highest-ranking American military officer to lose a child in Iraq or Afghanistan.{{cite news | last1=Landler | first1=Mark | last2=Habberman | first2=Maggie | title=Donald Trump Picks John Kelly, Retired General, to Lead Homeland Security | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/politics/john-kelly-dhs-trump.html | access-date=January 4, 2017 | newspaper=New York Times | date=December 7, 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102090748/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/politics/john-kelly-dhs-trump.html | archive-date=January 2, 2017 | df=mdy-all }} Kelly's other son is a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel.{{cite web | author=Noonie | url=http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/2nd-lt-robert-m-kelly/ | title=1st Lt. Robert M. Kelly | publisher=Freedom Remembered | date=November 10, 2010 | access-date=August 22, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308214154/http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/2nd-lt-robert-m-kelly/ | archive-date=March 8, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news| url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-fg-marine-burial-20101123,0,6553576.story | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | first=Tony | last=Perry | date=November 22, 2010 | title=Marine general's son laid to rest at Arlington}}{{cite news | last=Perry | first=Tony | url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jun-06-la-me-marine-memorial-20130607-story.html | title=Marine general speaks from a broken heart at memorial's dedication | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=June 6, 2013 | access-date=August 22, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730003923/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/06/local/la-me-marine-memorial-20130607 | archive-date=July 30, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}

Kelly's military decorations and awards:

• List of people who have held multiple United States Cabinet-level positions

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• [https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Article/602724/retired-general-john-f-kelly/ Biography at U.S. Department of Defense]
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• {{cite news|access-date=November 27, 2008|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51484|title=U.S. Presence Still Needed for Stability in Anbar Province, General Says|first=Kristen|last=Noel|date=October 12, 2008|work=News Articles|publisher=Armed Forces Press Service, United States Department of Defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014014550/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51484|archive-date=October 14, 2008}}

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Category:1950 births

Category:American people of Italian descent

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Category:University of Massachusetts Boston alumni

Category:White House chiefs of staff

Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)