John Kelly makes rare appearance at White House briefing to say he doesn't 'think he's getting fired today' and is not 'frustrated' with his job

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John Kelly makes rare appearance at White House briefing to say he doesn't 'think he's getting fired today' and is not 'frustrated' with his job

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John Kelly

Alex Brandon/AP

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly walks on the tarmac as he arrives Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix.

White House chief of staff John Kelly dismissed reports that he is frustrated in his job and considering leaving.

"Although I read it all the time, pretty consistently: I'm not quitting today," Kelly said in his first appearance at a White House press briefing since becoming chief of staff earlier this year. "I don't think I'm being fired today, and I'm not so frustrated in this job I'm thinking of leaving."

"Unless things change, I'm not quitting, I'm not getting fired, and I don't think I'll fire anyone tomorrow."

Kelly spent much of the press conference needling reporters, and alluded to recent reports that said the chief of staff has repeatedly clashed with President Donald Trump and was only staying in his job out of a sense of duty.

He told reporters that "one of his frustration is you," and advised the reporters in the room to "maybe develop some better sources."

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"My only frustration with all due respect to everyone in the room is when I come to work in the morning and see things I allegedly said, or Mr. Trump allegedly said, or people who are going to be fired or whatever," Kelly said. "It's just not true." 

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