White House counsel Don McGahn was unaware that President Trump was going to send a tweet that announced his forthcoming departure, according to a report.
McGahn was surprised to see Trump’s tweet and was not given a warning it would be posted ahead of time, but was not upset, a source close to McGahn told the Washington Post. According to the source, McGahn’s reaction was “of course it happened this way.”
Trump has announcement departures of people in his administration in the past. For instance, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly found out he was going to be fired via tweet earlier this year.
Early Wednesday morning, Axios reported that McGahn planned to depart the White House in the fall after Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, or after the 2018 midterm elections. Trump confirmed the report shortly thereafter.
“White House Counsel Don McGahn will be leaving his position in the fall, shortly after the confirmation (hopefully) of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. I have worked with Don for a long time and truly appreciate his service,” Trump tweeted.
McGahn reportedly hopes Emmet Flood will take his position after he leaves. Flood was brought onto the White House in May to assist with the federal Russia investigation and previously served in the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.
[More: Chuck Grassley tells Trump: You can’t let Don McGahn go]
