The photo that highlights White House turmoil

  • Published
An annotated image from inside the oval office numbering members of trump administration from 1-6Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

This image from January shows just how much Trump's inner circle has been depleted

This is the photograph, taken under seven months ago, that shows just how much Donald Trump's administration has rapidly changed.

Taken on 28 January, it shows Trump's inner circle as he received a congratulatory phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin following his inauguration.

On Friday, Steve Bannon became the latest casualty, added to a growing list of departures. But where are Trump and his closest allies now?

1. President Donald Trump

Almost seven months to the day since his 20 January inauguration, Donald Trump is under pressure on several fronts - but he's still president.

His presidency continues to be overshadowed by the ongoing Russia investigation. Key policies like the repeal of Obamacare and his travel ban have faltered.

Trump has also faced renewed criticism from senior Democratic and Republican figures alike for his response to events involving white supremacists in Charlottesville.

2. Reince Priebus, (now-former) Chief of Staff

Priebus was ousted in late July after just six months, following a series of chaotic weeks at the White House.

The new (and now former) communications director Anthony Scaramucci was caught days before, external describing Priebus as "paranoid" over alleged internal leaks.

The former Republican National Committee chief was replaced by retired general John Kelly.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Donald J. Trump

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Donald J. Trump

3. Mike Pence, Vice President

Pence remains as Trump's vice-president, the only person in the picture (other than Trump himself) to survive the first seven months.

But in early August he was forced to deny he was preparing a 2020 presidential bid after a report by the New York Times, external.

Media caption,

What does Vice-President Mike Pence believe?

4. Steve Bannon, (now-former) Chief Strategist

Bannon has become the latest departure, after the new chief of staff Gen Kelly allegedly reconsidered his position.

As a fervent right-winger and former head of Brietbart.com he helped Trump's 2016 election campaign, but apparently came into conflict with the White House's more moderate factions.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement the departure was "mutually agreed" but Trump's comments at an earlier news conference already hinted Bannon was on his way out of the White House.

5. Sean Spicer, (now-former) Press Secretary

Spicer become renowned for his fiery run-ins with the media, but resigned in late July over a shake-up that saw communications director Anthony Scaramucci come in.

Speaking to Fox News he said that there was a risk of "too many cooks in the kitchen".

'The Mooch' would himself last less than 10 days in that role.

Media caption,

They were the largest crowds. Period.

6. Michael Flynn, (now-former) National Security Adviser

Flynn's departure was one of the most contentious - he was forced out after 23 days in February when revelations over his links to Russia came to light.

Technically, Michael Flynn resigned, but he was asked to do so by the president. His departure followed weeks of deepening scandal in which it emerged that he had misled White House officials, including the vice-president, over his contact with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak.

Media caption,

How Michael Flynn became entangled in Russia probe

Read more on the Trump administration's departures: The White House revolving door: Who's gone?