A reporter, in the wake of the president firing Rex Tillerson and continued rumors of pending shakeups, told Sanders, "we're hearing a lot from staff behind the scenes saying they're on edge, people are anxious, they don't know what's happening in terms of staffing exits, firings".
Trump, who often quizzes his aides on how his decisions are playing on television, has also shown he favors candidates with on-screen experience who can adeptly defend his administration and spar with cable news hosts. Top economic adviser Gary Cohn and communications director Hope Hicks are leaving the White House in coming weeks.
The president himself has said in recent days that there will always be change in his administration, and that he's still contemplating more moves.
McMaster is far from the only top Trump staffer on shaky ground, though.
The president and McMaster have disagreed on a number of issues - including the Iran deal and the US approach to North Korea - and the national security adviser has also clashed with Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis, according to the officials.
Kelly also hinted that numerous rumors of cabinet members up on the chopping block, could have been spread by Trump himself, Axios reported. Officials said McMaster has been sidelined in some internal discussions, with Kelly taking on a more active role in foreign policy decisions, because of the personal tensions.
New York Jets: Make some solid free agent moves
After losing out on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, they brought back Josh McCown on a one-year deal worth $10 million on Wednesday. The New York Jets and former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater reached an agreement on a one year deal Tuesday.
Kelly has been credited with imposing order on the chaotic West Wing, but his relationship with Trump has come under strain, as well. The issue, according to a report from the Washington Post, was that McEntee has a high-dollar gambling habit-the sort of thing that was previously unimaginable among senior aides, it could pose a potential security risk.
Despite once bemoaning Bolton's thick mustache as unbefitting a senior White House official, Trump has now determined he can look past it, one person familiar with his thinking said.
At least one of Trump's "generals" - the collection of military advisers he used to boast about - remains largely in good standing.
A source close to Kelly said he will stay at the White House "as long as he is effective" - and Kelly believes he is still effective.
According to Axios, in the 8 a.m. meeting with 20 senior staffers, John Kelly addressed reports speculating that President Donald Trump was considering firing any number of WH officials.
The position left vacant by Tillerson was taken over by CIA Director Mike Pompeo. And Trump's allies on Capitol Hill have not been notified of any major changes and have been told not to expect anything immediately.