Here’s a list of people Trump has fired or threatened to fire – Washington Post

By Nicole Lewis By Nicole Lewis July 25 at 7:35 PM

Before Donald Trump became president, he made a name for himself as a reality television sensation on The Apprentice. At the end of each episode, Trump would send one contestant packing by turninghis hand into a finger gun, fixing it on the contestant, and saying, youre fired."

Since taking office in January, Trump has doubled down on his signature move. Just more than a week into his presidency, he fired acting attorney general Sally Yates. Then, it was U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara,whodid not comply when asked to submit his resignation along with 46 other U.S. attorneys in March. And most infamously, he dismissed FBI Director James B. Comey in May.

Hes teased about firing many more members of his administration, often joking about canning them during meetings or public appearances.

At a Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia on Monday,Trump broke out the finger gun once againwhen he joked that if Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price didnt get the votes to win on the health-care bill, he would be out of a job. Trump told the scouts: "And hopefully he is going to get the votes tomorrow He better get them. He better get them. Otherwise Ill say Tom, you're fired!"

But some who know the president well say thepersona he created on The Apprentice, where he seemed to relish letting people go, is not the Trump they know in real life. Sam Nunberg, Trumps policy adviser during his presidential campaign told Politico in June: I dont think he likes to gratuitously fire people, he said. He wants to give people chances. Trump fired Nunberg when his racially charged Facebook posts were made public.

Heres a look atotherpeople Trump has fired or threatened to fire -- complete with a finger gun tally.

James B. Comey, Sally Yates and Preet Bharara were all law enforcement officials until President Trump fired them and they were all investigating Trump or his administration at the time of their firing. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

Acting attorney general Sally Yates Fired on: Jan. 30, 2017 Reason: Yates sent a memo to Justice Department employees asking themnot to defend Trumps initial travel ban on people from seven majority-Muslim countries. Method:Yates was given a hand-delivered letter just a few hours before the White House released a statement to reporters. Finger gun involved: No.

U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara Fired on:March 11, 2017 Reason: TheTrump administration asked all remaining Obama-era attorneys to resign, clearing the way for new appointments. Method:After refusing to hand in his resignation, Bharara was officially fired. Finger gun involved:No.

FBI Director James B. Comey Fired on: May 9, 2017 Reason: Trump said he fired Comey for his handling of the investigation of Hillary Clintons emails. But Comey testified that he believes he was fired to change the way the Russia investigation was being conducted. Method:A hand-delivered letter was sent to Comeys office while he was visiting California. Comey heard about his firing on the news. Finger gun involved:No.

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump

President-elect Donald Trump ended his first news conference since the election by telling his sons he'll "fire" them if they don't do a good job running his company. Trump made the catchphrase "you're fired" popular during his time hosting "The Apprentice." (The Washington Post)

Reason: Trump put his sons in charge of the family business. If they dont run it well while Trump is president, he says theyll be out of a job. Was he joking?For the most part, yes. Finger gun involved: Oh, yes.

Special ProsecutorRobert S. Mueller III Reason: Trump told New York Times reporters that if Mueller began investigating his businesses itwould cross a red line. But he did not answer the reporters questions as to whether he would fire Mueller because he didnt think that line would be crossed. It has been crossed. Bloomberg News reported on July 20 that Mueller is focusing on Trumps transactions in Russia. Was he joking?Not a chance. Finger gun involved: No.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price

President Trump quipped that he would fire health and human services secretary Tom Price if he did not round up enough votes to repeal Obamacare. (Reuters)

Reason: At a Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia on July 24, Trump joked that if Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price didnt secure enough Senate votes to proceed with dismantling Obamacare, he would be out of a job. Trump told the scouts: And hopefully he is going to get the votes tomorrow ... He better get them. He better get them. Otherwise I'll say, Tom, youre fired!" Was he joking? The Senate did vote to proceed on a health-care bill, so we may never know. Finger gun involved: Absolutely.

U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley Reason: Trump questioned Haleys colleagueson whether shewas doing a good job during a lunch with members of the Security Council. Was he joking? It seems that way. I want to thank Ambassador Nikki Haley for her outstanding leadership and for acting as my personal envoy on the Security Council. She is doing a good job. Now, does everybody like Nikki?," he said. Otherwise she could be easily replaced, right? No, we wont do that. I promise you we wont do that. Shes doing a fantastic job. Finger gun involved: Only the metaphorical one of being burned at your own work lunch.

White House adviser Stephen K. Bannon Reason: During an exchange withNew York Post reporter Michael Goodwin, Trump distanced himself from Bannon, minimizing his role as an adviser. Was he joking? This might be serious. Bannon was removed from the National Security Council in April, and his role in the White House is increasingly unclear. Finger gun involved: As far as we know, no.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus Reason: In June, Politicoreportedthat Trump set a deadline of July 4 to remove several staff members, including Priebus. I dont want them to come into this mess. If Im going to clean house, they will come in as fresh blood, Trump said, according to Politico's source. Was he joking? No, though he has not yet actedon the threat. Finger gun involved:The source did not specify.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer

White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned on July 21, the same day Anthony Scaramucci became the new communications director. The Post's Callum Borchers looks at Spicier's tenure as the White House spokesman and the difficulties he faced representing the president. (Erin Patrick O'Connor,Meg Kelly/The Washington Post)

Reason: Rumors about Trump wanting to replace Spicer circulated throughout his tenure before he resigned on July 20. Reports includedTrump mulling a replacement such as Laura Ingraham or Kimberly Guilfoyle. Method: Spicer submitted his resignation. Finger gun involved: No, but Trump did tease him for his work in front of the camera. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders read the presidents remarks during a press briefing: "I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions

President Trump said he would have "picked someone else" had he known that Attorney General Jeff Sessions would recuse himself from the Russia probe. (The Washington Post)

Reason: Trump is frustrated with Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation, saying if he knew Sessions would step away from the probe he would have picked someone else. On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his frustrations with Sessions, accusing him of taking a very weak stance on Hillary Clinton and people who have leaked intelligence. Method:The Fixs Aaron Blake writes that Trump seems to be choosing the make your life hell until you quit method. Finger gun involved: No, but Sessions will have to deal with the sting of knowing Trump is disappointed by his actions.

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Here's a list of people Trump has fired or threatened to fire - Washington Post