John Kelly

John Kelly is a retired United States Marine Corps general and former senior government official who served as the White House Chief of Staff to President Donald Trump and as the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. A highly decorated officer, he commanded the United States Southern Command and held key roles during the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan. His tenure in the Trump administration was marked by efforts to impose discipline on West Wing operations and implement strict immigration policies.

Early life and education

John Francis Kelly was born on May 11, 1950, in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Archbishop Williams High School in nearby Braintree before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1970. After serving as an enlisted infantryman, he was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1976. He later pursued advanced studies, receiving a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the United States Naval War College and a Master of Science in strategic intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College at Georgetown University.

Military career

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1976, Kelly's extensive military career spanned over four decades. He served in various command and staff positions, including with the 1st Marine Division and at The Pentagon. During the Iraq War, he commanded the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and later served as the commander of Multi-National Force – West in Al Anbar Governorate. He was promoted to general in 2008 and served as the senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. From 2012 until his retirement in 2016, Kelly served as the commander of the United States Southern Command, overseeing military operations and partnerships in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. His son, First Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly, was killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010.

White House Chief of Staff

Appointed by President Donald Trump, Kelly served as the White House Chief of Staff from July 31, 2017, to January 2, 2019, succeeding Reince Priebus. He was tasked with bringing structure to a tumultuous West Wing, often clashing with other senior advisors like Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner. Kelly was a central figure in the administration's immigration agenda, defending the controversial travel ban and the policy of family separations at the southern border. His relationship with the president deteriorated over time, particularly regarding access to the Oval Office and disagreements over the handling of allegations against staff secretary Rob Porter.

Post-government career

Following his departure from the Trump administration, Kelly returned to the private sector. He joined the board of directors for the Caliburn International corporation, which operated facilities for migrant children, a move that drew criticism given his role in border policies. He has also served as a senior advisor to the Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm The Cohen Group, founded by former United States Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen. Kelly has been a periodic commentator on national security issues, delivering speeches at events like the Sea-Air-Space exposition and giving interviews to outlets such as CNN and The Washington Post.

Personal life

Kelly is married to Charlotte Kelly, and the couple resides in Woodbridge, Virginia. He has four children from his first marriage to Karen Hernest. A devout Roman Catholic, he is a member of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Woodbridge. His personal tragedy of losing his son in Afghanistan has deeply informed his public comments on military service and sacrifice. Kelly is known for his blunt, no-nonsense demeanor, a style cultivated during his long career in the United States Marine Corps.