Trump announces John Kelly will depart White House by year's end

John Kelly is expected to depart his role as White House Chief of Staff by the end of the year, President Donald Trump said on Saturday, ending a tenure marked by tensions with his boss and confrontations with other key administration figures, CNBC reported.

Kelly's departure follows several months of controversy and turmoil, and comes at a time when the president's agenda is imperiled by a midterm election in which Democrats recaptured the House of Representatives. The chief of staff vacancy is just the latest changing of the guard at the administration's highest levels, which includes the U.S. Attorney General, United Nations ambassador and Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The president announced the news on the front lawn on the White House, following days of swirling speculation around the retired Marine Corps general's exit for months amid disagreements with Trump. Nevertheless, in his brief remarks to reporters, Trump called Kelly "a great guy" and that he appreciated his service.

"We'll be announcing who will be taking John's place" over the next day or two, Trump said, en route to the annual Army-Navy football game.