Washington (People's Daily) - White House Chief of Staff John Kelly will leave his job at the end of this year, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday, describing the former Marine Corps general as a loyal aide during his tenure.

John Kelly testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington in May 25, 2017. (File Photo: AP)

Video source: VCG

A White House official said on Saturday that Trump was talking to Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, to take over the job.

Kelly's impending departure is part of a broad overhaul designed to recalibrate the Trump administration as it faces a new reality in Washington, with Democrats set to take control of the House in January and the 2020 presidential race gearing up next year.

On Friday, he said he will nominate William Barr, who was attorney general under former President George H.W. Bush in the 1990s, to be his attorney general.

And he’ll put forward State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as ambassador to the United Nations.

Both are likely to face tough questions at their Senate confirmation hearings. Democrats called Nauert unqualified and said they were concerned about Barr's independence.

Republicans said they were pleased with both nominees. John Kelly's impending departure is part of a broad overhaul designed to recalibrate the Trump administration as it faces a new reality in Washington.