Washington, Oct 1 (DPA) US President Barack Obama is expected Friday to announce the departure of his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, after less than two years in one of the administration’s most demanding jobs.
Emanuel, one of Obama’s most trusted advisors, is likely to be replaced at least temporarily with Pete Rouse, US media reported. Rouse served as Obama’s chief of staff during his time in the Senate from 2005 to 2008.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama would make a ‘personnel announcement’ Friday morning, though he declined to officially declare Emanuel’s resignation until the event.
Emanuel has long been mulling a run for mayor in his home town of Chicago and must file papers to enter the race by Nov 22. The timing of his exit from the White House is rare, coming just ahead of congressional elections in November.
The extra time allows Emanuel, a former Illinois congressman, to quickly enter what has become a crowded field of mayoral candidates. Some pundits have also speculated that the early departure allows Emanuel to be untarnished should Obama’s Democrats suffer heavy losses in November’s election.
Emanuel is the latest in a string of advisors to announce their departure from the Obama administration, part of a transition that often takes place at the mid-point in US presidencies.
Others planning to leave include White House economic advisors Larry Summers and Christina Romer, as well as budget director Peter Orszag. US media have speculated that Obama’s national security advisor, James Jones, may also be leaving.
