White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus could fall victim to a shake-up of President Donald Trump's White House. Multiple sources suggested to NBC News that Trump has been considering staff changes for several weeks, and several names have emerged as possible alternatives to take Priebus's key administration job.
No changes have been finalized, but the resignation of White House Communications Director Mike Dubke earlier this week encouraged rumors of an impending shakeup. The White House clarified that Dubke resigned of his own volition, and Dubke in an email said that his reasons for departure were "personal."
At least one administration source denied to NBC that Trump was considering dropping Priebus.
Two names have emerged as possible replacements for the chief of staff. One is David Urban, a key player in the Trump campaign who many consider to have been essential in delivering Pennsylvania's electoral votes. Urban would bring Capitol Hill connections, but no prior White House experience. NBC suggested that, "signs point to Trump appearing to cool on Urban in recent days."
The other name floated is Gary Cohn, a key economic adviser to the president and director of the National Economic Council. Cohn would deliver extensive business connections and a mind for economic policy; however, some factions inside the White House are allegedly wary of Cohn being out of step with them. Axios reported that Cohn had his eye on a higher job: chair of the Federal Reserve.
NBC reported that Cohn and Urban are said to have "cordial" relations with Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
Rumors have surrounded the possible departure of Priebus, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, for some time. Trump in mid-May allegedly considered dropping both him and press secretary Sean Spicer.