White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci Rips Priebus, Bannon In New Interview
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork) – The West Wing is looking more like the Wild West.
In an interview with the New Yorker magazine, the new White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci took aim at Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon in a vulgar tirade, CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported.
"Reince is an (expletive) paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac..." Scaramucci is quoted saying.
Reporter Ryan Lizza said Scaramucci called him to complain about leaks, and they had an on-the-record conversation.
"He was very worked up, he was very worked up. He was angry," Lizza said on CNN.
In the article, Scaramucci accused Priebus of leaking his financial disclosure form – a document that is publicly available.
Both Priebus and Bannon reportedly opposed Scaramucci's hiring.
Congressman Peter King (R-N.Y.) weighed in.
"I don't think anyone other than the insiders, including me, cares what Anthony Scaramucci says about Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon," he said. "Now how it works out though, as far as a functioning White House, that's whawt we have to see."
After the article came out, Scaramucci tweeted, "I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for President Trump's agenda."
I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 27, 2017
A few hours later, he added, "I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again."
I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again.
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 28, 2017
These aren't the only rocky relationships in the White House, Grymes reported.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions responded to recent criticism from Trump.
"It's kind of hurtful," he said. "But the president of the United States is a strong leader, and he wants all of us to do our jobs. And that's what I intend to do."
Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Sessions said he did the right thing in recusing himself from the Russia probe and has no plans to resign.
"I serve at the pleasure of the president," he said. "If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so."
Meanwhile, members of the U.S. Senate are burning midnight oil Thursday, working to come up with a new health care bill.
"We all know this is likely to be a very long night," Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) said.
Republicans are working on a so-called "skinny plan," which repeals parts of Obamacare, including a tax on medical devices, and eliminates mandates for individuals and large employers to buy health insurance.
Thursday morning, Trump tweeted, "Come on Republican Senators, you can do it on Healthcare. After 7 years, this is your chance to shine! Don't let the American people down!"
But Democrats say a vote on a skinny repeal will not stop the process.
"It won't be the last vote. There will be many more after that to change it and to modify it," Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.
On another front, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was not aware the president was going to tweet a ban on transgender service members. For now, there will be no change in current policy.
"We will work through the implementation guidance when we get it, and then we'll move from there," Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said.
Trump will be in Suffolk County on Friday to meet with police and prosecutors about the fight against the MS-13 gang. Suffolk Count Police say they have made 170 arrests of MS-13 members since September.