(RNN) – White House Chief of Staff John Kelly cracked a joke on Thursday during his appearance celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security.
After telling the crowd, “I miss every one of you, every day,” he chuckled.
The crowd laughed, and Kelly continued.
“The last thing I wanted to do was walk away from one of the great honors of my life - being the secretary of homeland security, but I did something wrong, and God punished me, I guess.”
Although it was a joke, the past month has been rough for Kelly.
White House Communications Director Hope Hicks resigned Wednesday. Hicks was one of President Donald Trump’s most trusted and long-serving advisers. Although her departure was reportedly in the works, the news of her resignation came one day after she testified for nine hours in front of the House panel investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Kelly downgraded the security clearance of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law from top secret to secret. Subsequently, intelligence emerged Israel, Mexico, China and the United Arab Emirates discussed ways to influence Kushner for their benefit.
The chief of staff also defended White House aide Rob Porter, who was forced to resign in early February when domestic abuse allegations surfaced from his ex-wifes.
And Trump continues to tweet and target Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Why is A.G. Jeff Sessions asking the Inspector General to investigate potentially massive FISA abuse. Will take forever, has no prosecutorial power and already late with reports on Comey etc. Isn’t the I.G. an Obama guy? Why not use Justice Department lawyers? DISGRACEFUL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2018
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