White House Counsel Don McGahn Found Out About Firing From Donald Trump Tweet

White House Counsel Don McGahn first found out about his firing over Twitter, when President Donald Trump tweeted that he will “leave his position in fall,” the Washington Post reported.

White House Counsel Don McGahn will be leaving his position in the fall, shortly after the confirmation (hopefully) of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. I have worked with Don for a long time and truly appreciate his service!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 29. August 2018

A person close to McGahn told the Washington Post that McGahn was “surprised” about the announcement about his leaving the White House.

“McGahn, who has told many friends that he has wearily endured countless political and legal battles, saw Trump’s tweet as abrupt but typical of how the president acts,” The Post reported. “His reaction was, ‘Of course it happened this way,’ one person said.”

This is not the first time the president publicly announced a firing over Twitter before speaking with the persons concerned. In March, Trump tweeted that he had fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and appointed CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace him. Tillerson only spoke with the president about his departure several hours after the tweet.

Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 13. März 2018

In April, the president also fired Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin over Twitter. He was told by chief of staff John Kelly that “the president would most likely be tweeting out a message.” Shulkin was asked by CNN, “So the tweet fired you?” and he confirmed, “Yes.”

….In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 28. März 2018