Kudlow says he doesn’t plan to resign, will take some vacation this month
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow plans to remain in his role for the remainder of the Trump administration but plans to spend some of it on vacation.
Kudlow told The Hill that he will be in the office “a few days a week” and will take some vacation time during the next two weeks. The news was first reported by CNBC on Friday. It means that Kudlow will not join a list of administration officials who have stepped down from the administration over the past two days due to President Trump’s role in inciting riots on Capitol Hill.
Kudlow has served as President Trump’s chief economic adviser and director of the National Economic Council since March 2018.
Two Cabinet members and at least six other administration officials have resigned from their posts after pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in support of Trump’s efforts to overturn his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden.
It is not uncommon for officials to leave their roles for new ones in the waning days of an administration, but some if not all of the resignations have been tied to the riots.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos submitted her resignation letter to Trump on Thursday in which she called the riots “unconscionable” and blamed Trump’s rhetoric for playing a role in the violence.
Amid talk of potential further resignations, some GOP senators have urged key officials like national security adviser Robert O’Brien and White House counsel Pat Cipollone to remain in their roles over concerns of a potential leadership vacuum.
There have been calls for Trump to resign or be removed from office in the wake of the violence. Trump, who initially refused to condemn the rioters, rebuked the violence and acknowledged a new administration would be taking hold on Jan. 20 in a video message Thursday evening.
Trump on Friday announced he would not be attending Biden’s inauguration. Vice President Pence, who presided over Congress when it certified the Electoral College votes following the riots overnight Wednesday, is expected to attend the inauguration in some capacity.