(CNN) After a brutal first several days for the Trump administration, one has to ask: Where was the White House chief of staff? Traditionally, the chief of staff performs a number of valuable roles for a president, from advising him on policy and politics, to representing him to the media and Congress, to making sure the administrative and policy processes run efficiently. It's still very early, and things obviously could change, but so far, during this difficult first week for the Trump White House, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus has been largely AWOL. In some ways, this should not be a big surprise. When Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Commitee and a Johnny-come-lately to the Trump team, was announced as chief of staff on November 13, his name was positioned after counselor and chief strategist Steve Bannon.Cohen: After a rocky start Trump, Reince Priebus is needed more than everThe chief of staff has historically been the person who intervenes
During the campaign and continuing through the start of the administration, a quadrumvirate of advisers emerged to vie for _'s ear.