The rise and quick fall of Anthony Scaramucci: 4 lowlights from his 11 days at the White House
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Anthony Scaramucci, known as “the Mooch,” left President Donald Trump’s White House less than two weeks after he was hired.
USA TODAY
Anthony Scaramucci’s time as White House communications director was incredibly short, but he dominated the headlines from start to finish.
Here are some of the major moments of the past 11 days:
1. The Mooch in, Spicey out
The mere appointment of the Wall Street financier – who had a notable lack of communications experience – caused a stir right out of the gate. It spurred the abrupt resignation of press secretary Sean Spicer, who objected to his hiring.
Later that same day, Scaramucci appeared before the White House press corps later that day, disputing the idea that the White House is having trouble.
“This ship is going in the right direction,†Scaramucci said on July 21.Â
2. Fire all the leakersÂ
Scaramucci’s first (only?) order of real business as head of the White House communications: Oust the leakers.Â
“I’m going to fire everybody, that’s how I’m going to do it,” Scaramucci told reporters. “You’re either going to stop leaking or you’re going to get fired.”
Michael Short, senior assistant press secretary and former RNC staffer, resigned after Scaramucci told media outlets that he planned to fire Short over alleged leaks.
Short’s departure also prompted questions about whether Scaramucci understood the meaning of leaks. Scaramucci told Politico earlier last Tuesday that Short would be dismissed – but used the news report to rail against unauthorized leaks.Â
“Let’s say I’m firing Michael Short today,†he said when asked about the story, according to the New York Times, before Short quit. “The fact that you guys know about it before he does really upsets me as a human being and as a Roman Catholic. I should have the opportunity, if I need to let somebody go, to let the person go in a very humane, dignified way.â€
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Scaramucci appeared to accuse Priebus of leaking his financial disclosure to the press – calling the move a “felony” and vowing to contact the FBI and Justice Department. (Turns out, that disclosure was a document publicly available upon request.)
Scaramucci also compared his relationship with Priebus to that of biblical brothers Cain and Abel, though he never specified which of them represented the brother who killed the other. He also suggested on CNN that news leaks about foreign policy deserve the death penalty. “Those are the types of leaks that are so treasonous that 150 years ago, people would have actually been hung for those types of leaks,” he said.
The next day, President Trump announced that Priebus was out as chief of staff and would be replaced by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.
4. That infamous New Yorker interview
It’s an interview most of us will never forget reading. Scaramucci called up The New Yorker‘s Ryan Lizza on Wednesday night to demand how Lizza could possibly know that he went to dinner with the president and others including Fox News host Sean Hannity – and demanded that he, as an American, give up his sources for the sake of the country or else he would fire the entire White House communications office.
Scaramucci neglected to make the conversation off the record, so the next day, Lizza published a tell-all about the conversation, which included a lot of extremely graphic expletives on Scaramucci’s part, including a crude tirade against Priebus and other top staffers such as Steve Bannon.Â
Scaramucci was slammed by critics for being a communications director who apparently did not understand how going off the record works. After the article was published, Scaramucci apologized for using “colorful” language on the job and said: “I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won’t happen again.”
Read more:
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSScaramucci out as White House communications director | 0:43
Anthony Scaramucci, known as “the Mooch,” left President Donald Trump’s White House less than two weeks after he was hired.
USA TODAY
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSTrump announces new Chief of Staff on Twitter | 1:03
In an unexpected move, President Trump announced on Twitter that his Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was out and former Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly is in.
USA TODAY
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSSean Spicer resigns as White House press secretary | 1:16
Sean Spicer has submitted his resignation as the White House press secretary shortly after President Trump named Anthony Scaramucci as the new communications director.
USA TODAY
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSThe office of government ethics director is resigning | 1:01
Walter Shaub announced his resignation Thursday in a letter to President Donald Trump.
Video provided by Newsy
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CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSThe White House needs a new communications director | 0:50
Mike Dubke offered his resignation in mid-May but said he’d stay until after President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip.
Video provided by Newsy
Newslook
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSTrump fires FBI Director James Comey | 0:54
The White House reports Comey’s dismissal comes after he was found in the middle of several political controversies like Russia’s possible election interference and Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified e-mails.
USA TODAY
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSFirst female White House Chief Usher dismissed | 1:09
White House Chief Usher Angella Reid was dismissed. She was the first woman and second African-American to hold that position. Elizabeth Keatinge (@elizkeatinge) has more.
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CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSMichael Flynn resigns as national security adviser | 0:39
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement released Monday night that President Trump is evaluating the situation with Flynn.
USA TODAY NETWORK
CLOSETRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUPSTrump fires acting AG after defiance on immigration order | 0:49
Acting Attorney General Sally Yates sent a letter to the Department of Justice, ordering it not to defend President Trump’s executive order that suspends the U.S. refugee program for 120 days.
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