Priebus publicly criticized Trump during the early stages of the 2016 Republican presidential primaries , but he later called for party unity . He opposed efforts to deny Trump the nomination at the 2016 Republican National Convention and supported his presidential campaign in the general election . Days after Trump won the 2016 presidential election , Trump announced that Priebus would serve as his first Chief of Staff . On July 28 , 2017 , President Trump announced that he would make Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly the chief of staff , after Priebus submitted his resignation on July 27 . Priebus had the shortest tenure of any non-interim White House Chief of Staff in American history . Priebus ' last day in the position was July 31 when Kelly was sworn in . Priebus drew controversy for his management style as chief of staff
2016 Republican National Convention
2016 Republican National Convention
Reince Priebus