White House Fires First Female Chief Usher Angella Reid

The White House has fired its chief usher, Angella Reid, the first woman and second African American to hold the position.

White House staff learned of the dismissal on Friday morning, the Washington Post reported. Reid joined the White House in 2011 under President Barack Obama.

Reid was fired, according to several sources. One administration official cited “issues with the staff.” Others described tension between Reid, her staff and members of the administration.

“We are very grateful for her service,” the official said. White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters today that Reid “left on very good terms and [we] wish her the very best.”

“It’s not uncommon you might have a transition of staff when a new administration comes in and it’s certainly nothing more than that,” Sanders added.

The usher is responsible for the day-to-day management of the White House. The role covers construction, food, and maintenance as well as personnel and administrative duties.

“Knowing Angella, I doubt seriously that she would have done something herself to cause this,” said Stephen Rochon, Reid’s predecessor. “She worked for years in top management in hotels. She knows about hospitality. She is definitely professional but you’re not going to please everybody.”