Sir, – As you stated, White House chief of staff John Kelly "faces an uphill task in bringing focus and discipline to a White House badly in need of both", ("Trump's dysfunctional, faction-ridden presidency", Editorial, August 2nd).
There exists what may be an insurmountable obstacle to achieving such goals – Donald Trump himself. To somehow drastically alter Trump’s behaviour may first require the dismissal of key personnel appointed by him. Mr Kelly would have to engineer the removal of Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon from the administration before attempting to bring Donald Trump Sr’s actions and reactions to a level in conformity with normal Oval Office standards.
Mr Kelly may find himself issuing the statement “Either they go, or I go” before the year is out. – Yours, etc,
DAN DONOVAN,
Dungarvan, Co Waterford.