Deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel appears with President Donald Trump on Tuesday as they arrive for the Diwali Festival of Lights ceremony at the White House. Minutes later first lady Melania Trump publicly said she wanted her removed from White House staff. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI |
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Nov. 14 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump moved Mira Ricardel from her deputy national security adviser post Wednesday, one day after first lady Melania Trump sought her ouster, the White House announced.
"Mira Ricardel will continue to support the president as she departs the White House to transition to a new role within the administration," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "The president is grateful for Ms. Ricardel's continued service to the American people and her steadfast pursuit of his national security priorities."
Sanders didn't say what her new job would be.
On Tuesday, Melania Trump sought her removal.
"It is the position of the office of the first lady that [Ricardel] no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House," the first lady's communications director, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement.
Despite the comments, Ricardel reported to work Wednesday.
USA Today reported that Ricardel disagreed with Melania Trump's staff over airplane seating during their October trip to Africa. Ricardel, who wound up not going to Africa, was accused of spreading false stories about the incident.
In an ABC interview during her trip to Africa, Melania Trump said she gave "my honest advice" about certain White House staffers to her husband, and "some people, they don't work there anymore."
Politico reported Ricardel also clashed with Defense Secretary James Mattis while serving on the agency's transition team after Trump's election as well as officials at the Department of Homeland Security, according to an administration official.
John Bolton, the national security adviser, named Ricardel, 58, to his deputy position in May after she worked in the Commerce Department.
