In a deep dive into how budget chief Mick Mulvaney will fare as Donald Trump latest chief of staff -- even as only an "acting" one -- White House insiders scoffed when he claimed he saw no problem also managing Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner who are known to have the final say in many of the president's decisions.
In a statement to Politico, Mulvaney said he planned to let Trump be Trump and that he would manage the White House as he has the other departments he heads with "quiet competence."
"All of my energies as Acting Chief of Staff will be spent to assist the President as he makes — and keeps — America great," Mulvaney claimed.
One of the problems ousted Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and outgoing Chief of Staff John Kelly have had in wrangling Trump has been limiting his contacts with his friends to whom he often turns for advice in lieu of speaking with qualified administration advisers.
According to a White House insider, Mulvaney will be more permissive with Trump's wants and needs.
“My guess is that Mulvaney will be slightly more tolerant of people coming to meetings when they should not be there,” a Republican close to the White House told Politico. “He is a less of a disciplinarian than Kelly.”
Then there is the problem with Ivanka and Jared who hold senior White House positions despite having no experience in government or policy-making.
The two have a well known history of clashing with other White House employees including Kelly who once accused them of "playing government."
While a source close to Mulvaney stated he doesn't believe that there will be any friction between the president's family and new chief of staff, a former administration member scoffed at the idea that it would be a longterm healthy relationship -- going so far as to call the couple children.
“Everyone gets along with the kids in the beginning,” the ex-staffer warned.