John Kelly Will Apparently Not Be Leaving At ‘The End Of The Year’ After All

It looks like White House Chief of Staff John Kelly might stay in the role a bit longer than expected.

White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News Tuesday that Kelly will remain in the White House until “at least” January 2, reports The Washington Post.

President Trump specifically said that Kelly would be leaving by the end of the year, but that was before Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, decided to turn down the job and leave Washington entirely.

The New York Times reported that Ayers was Trump’s only real choice to replace Kelly and that he had no back-up plan.

When asked whether Kelly might stick around beyond January 2, Conway suggested that’s a possibility. “That’s up to the president and that’s up to the chief of staff, General John Kelly, certainly,” she told Fox News. But there will be “a very peaceful and pragmatic transition” to whomever Trump chooses, Conway said.

Trump on Tuesday insisted that “many” people want the chief of staff job but said that he’s in “no rush” to find his replacement.