US President Donald Trump has removed White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci from the role just 10 days after appointing him, the White House has confirmed/.
LISTEN ABOVE: US CORRESPONDENT NICK BRYANT SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING
"Scaramucci will be leaving his role as White House Communications Director," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement on Monday.
"Mr Scaramucci felt it was best to give Chief of Staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team. We wish him all the best."
Trump removed Scaramucci at the request of John Kelly, who took over as White House chief of staff on Monday, the New York Times earlier reported.
Scaramucci had issued a profanity-filled tirade against the previous chief of staff, Reince Priebus, last week amid broader tumult among White House staff.
It was unclear whether Scaramucci had been fired from the White House or simply removed from the communications position.
The abrupt decision signals that Kelly is moving quickly to assert control over the West Wing, which has been characterised by interpersonal disputes and power struggles during Trump's six months in office.
The retired Marine general was brought into the White House in the hope that he will bring military-style disciple to Trump's staff. He has been fully empowered by the president to make significant changes to the organisation, White House officials and outside advisers said.
Scaramucci was hired to the communications director role by Trump, over the objections of Priebus and other aides. Within days of arriving in the West Wing, Scaramucci publicly accused Priebus of leaking damaging information about him in the media and disparaged him in a profanity-laced interview with the New Yorker.
Priebus, who had long ago lost the confidence of the president, was replaced by Kelly days later.
People in the White House who supported Scaramucci's hiring had viewed his presence in the West Wing, in part, as a tool to hasten the departure of Priebus, according to White House officials. His usefulness had declined significantly in their eyes once that goal was accomplished and in light of his rocky first week on the job.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
