Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Don McGahn on Thursday as “the best White House Counsel I’ve seen on the job” and one of the “successful and consequential” aides.
“I’ve known every White House Counsel since I arrived in Washington. Even in such impressive company, Don is a cut above,” Mr. McConnell said in a statement.
Reports surfaced Wednesday night that Mr. McGahn vacated his position at the White House after meeting with President Trump.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Mr. Trump said he would tap Pat Cipollone to fill the position.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the departure on Thursday and explained that Emmet Flood, who many expected to be picked, will assume the position temporarily. Once Mr. Cipollone officially takes over as White House Counsel, Mr. Flood will return to serving as special counsel.
“President Trump has a great deal of respect for both individuals and is glad to have them on his team,” Mrs. Sanders said in a statement.
In August, Mr. Trump announced Mr. McGahn would leave the White House in the fall after Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s nomination proceedings concluded.
Mr. McGahn spearheaded the White House’s effort to get now-Justice Kavanaugh confirmed and worked closely with Senate Republicans on all of the president’s judicial nominations.
He was the administration’s liaison to coordinate with the Senate Judiciary Committee on directing the scope of a supplemental background investigation into sexual assault allegations against the nominee.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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