Free Beacon
"WH chief of staff furious over Frederica Wilson's actions: 'I thought at least that was sacred' "
"White House Chief of Staff John Kelly on Thursday blasted a congresswoman for revealing the details of a phone conversation President Donald Trump had with the widow of a soldier this week, saying he was "stunned" and "brokenhearted" by her conduct.
"Kelly was so troubled by it, he said, he went to Arlington National Cemetery to collect his thoughts and walk among "the finest men and women on this Earth" for an hour-and-a-half.
"Kelly made his second appearance at the White House press briefing to discuss the tumult over a call Trump made on Tuesday to Myeshia Johnson, whose husband Sgt. La David Johnson was killed this month along with three other solders in Niger.
"Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson (Fla.) told reporters she overheard the call, and she ultimately made appearances on CNN, MSNBC and ABC to say that Trump had upset Johnson and acted in a callous manner by telling her that her husband knew "what he had signed up for."
"Kelly, a Marine Corps general and Gold Star father himself whose son died in Afghanistan in 2010, revealed he initially advised Trump not to call the families of fallen soldiers, and he defended Trump for doing the best he could to console the families.
"He said Trump wanted to make the calls and asked him what to say in such a situation. Kelly responded that his friend Gen. Joseph Dunford told him, "He was doing exactly what he wanted to do when he was killed. He knew what he was getting into by joining that one percent. He knew what the possibilities were."
"And when he died, Kelly said, "he was surrounded by the best men on this earth, his friends." . . ."
Rep. Wilson’s Reaction To John Kelly’s Somber Presser: “I’m A Rock Star”
Congresswoman reacts to White House statement on call to army’s family
. . . “ 'You mean to tell me that I’ve become so important that the White House is following me and my words?” she said laughing. “This is amazing. That’s amazing. I’ll have to tell my kids that I’m a rockstar now.' ” . . .
Congresswoman reacts to White House statement on call to army’s family
. . . “ 'You mean to tell me that I’ve become so important that the White House is following me and my words?” she said laughing. “This is amazing. That’s amazing. I’ll have to tell my kids that I’m a rockstar now.' ” . . .