Melania Trump: After Mira Ricardel, will First Lady set her sights on John Kelly next?

Melania Trump has taken an unorthodox step for a first lady in publicly calling for the firing of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel.

“It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that [Mira Ricardel] no longer deserves the honour of serving in this White House,” Stephanie Grisham, spokesperson for Ms Trump, said in a statement.

The feud between Ms Ricardel and members of Ms Trump's staff escalated during the first lady's recent trip to Africa when arguments broke out over “seating on the plane and requests to use National Security Council resources,”

Two presidential aides told Reuters that Mr Trump was considering forcing out Ms Ricardel, but as of Tuesday afternoon, the adviser remained in her West Wing office.

The unexpected—and unprecedented—statement from the first lady came as a shock to heavyweight administration officials, including Chief of Staff John Kelly, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, and even the president himself.

Ms Trump’s bombshell of a statement caused quite a stir in the White House, leading to speculations of whether or not the first lady is making a power play, or if other officials are next in line for departure.

Who is Ms Trump coming for next?

There were reports that that it could be the White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. In recent months, the first lady and Mr Kelly have been reportedly butting heads over administrative matters concerning staffers and travel requests. The quarrels have even gone so far to have been brought to the attention of the president.

Why is the first lady feuding with Mr Kelly?

One of Ms Trump’s major grievances with Mr Kelly seems to have been rooted in staff promotions.

“There have been instances where the East Wing staff were not treated as equals to the male-dominated decision makers in Chief Kelly’s office,” one White House official told NBC News. “Promotions were denied then finally granted after months of requests.”

One of these instances took place earlier this year, when the first lady requested to promote two of her East Wing aides. The chief of staff rebuffed her requests for several months, citing that there were not enough vacant positions for Ms Trump’s aides to be granted with senior titles. However, according to White House officials, during this time period, several staffers in the West Wing received promotions.

In response, Ms Trump raised these grievances to her husband earlier this year.

Does Mr Kelly have a history of snubbing East Wing staff?

He does. The chief of staff has also reportedly sparred over with the Ms Trump’s staff over her travel arrangements. According to NBC, Mr Kelly would often refuse to reserve space for the first lady’s aides on Air Force One or the president’s helicopters. He also would fail to book hotel rooms or list their names for motorcade movements. Ms Trump took offence to these instances.

Has Ms Trump been public with her spats with Mr Kelly?

Nope. The first lady has been very diplomatically when asked about her relationship with the chief of staff. She has publicly denied any feuds between the two.

“Mrs. Trump has a very positive relationship with Chief Kelly and there have never been any issues between the two,” the first lady’s spokesperson said.

Who are the other people the first lady is feuding with?

The case of Ms Ricardel does hint at a power struggle between two unlikely foes: The first lady and national security adviser John Bolton.

The first lady also reportedly disliked Steve Bannon, who served as Mr Trump’s chief strategist, and even told the president.

The first lady also has not been shy about her attitudes towards some White House officials. When asked if she distrusted some people working for her husband, Ms Trump did not hold back her thoughts. “Yes,” she replied. “Some people, they don’t work there anymore.”

Ms Trump then went further to say she disliked some current White House staffers. “It’s harder to govern,” she added.. “You always need to watch your back.”

Did other first ladies feud with White House officials?

They certainly did. The most notable example is Nancy Reagan. She was frequently spatting with former President Ronald Reagan’s chief of staff Donald Regan. Their feuds eventually led to his departure from the White House.

Hillary Clinton also used to spar with then-President Bill Clinton’s chief of staff over policy matters. George Stephanopoulos, who served as of Mr Clinton’s most trusted adviser, even mentioned in his memoir that he would often clash with the former first lady.

There were also speculation of some hostility between former first lady Michelle Obama and Robert Gibbs, who served as her husband’s first press secretary.

Ms Trump, however, is the reportedly the only first lady to have publicly call for the firing of a White House official.