Donald Trump Fires First Female White House Chief Usher

Angella Reid was the first woman and second African-American to hold the position

Donald Trump Angella Reid

President Donald Trump has fired Angella Reid, the first woman to hold the position of White House Chief Usher.

According to The Washington Post, Reid found out about her termination when she and the rest of the White House staff showed up for work Friday morning.

“We left on very good terms and wish her the very best and certainly hope for great things for her in the future,” said White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders during Friday’s press briefing. “However, it’s not uncommon you might have a transition of staff when a new administration comes in. It’s nothing more than that.”

Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian and professor of history at Rice University, told The Washington Post that the ousting of the White House chief usher is highly unusual, especially without an explanation. “f there is a very compelling reason for the dismissal, the White House needs to tell the public,” he said. “Otherwise it comes off as cruel.”

The chief usher of the White House serves as more of an around-the-clock general manager, overseeing the large staff of employees including chefs, maids, butlers, carpenters, florists and other workers who take care of the presidential residence, as well as taking on administrative duties.

There have only been nine chief ushers in the White House since the beginning of the 20th century, and the position is usually held for long tenures. Reid, who was only the third chief usher fired in more than 100 years, was hired by President Barack Obama in 2011.

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