Trump considered ousting Kelly and serving as his own chief of staff: report

President Trump reportedly considered firing chief of staff John Kelly earlier this month and fulfilling the duties himself rather than naming a replacement.

NBC News reported Thursday that Trump suggested to others outside the White House that he would leave the chief of staff position open. He would then receive direct reports from a handful of top aides, in a set-up that would resemble how he operated the Trump Organization. 

Trump has reportedly tabled the concept for the time being. 

{mosads}The report was published hours after former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon suggested at a Financial Times event that if Kelly were to depart the administration, Trump would not replace him.

Trump and Kelly have reportedly clashed at various times since Kelly took over for Reince Priebus last summer. However, the president is said to have recently told advisers that Kelly’s job is “100 percent safe.” 

Reported discussions about the future of Kelly’s role come amid a major shake-up in the Trump administration.

Trump announced Thursday that national security adviser H.R. McMaster will leave his post on April 9 and will be replaced by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired last week, and top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned earlier this month.