Washington, AFP, 29 July 2017 – United States President Donald Trump on Friday ousted his beleaguered chief of staff, Reince Priebus, replacing him with retired Marine Corps general and current Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

Priebus has been under fire for weeks, seeing one White House ally after another resign or leave, culminating in the recent departure of former Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

Trump announced the switch on Twitter after a trip to New York, on which he was accompanied by Priebus.

“He is a Great American… and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration.”

Kelly’s Department of Homeland Security is responsible for enforcing border security and has taken a tough line on immigrants inside the US.