Exclusive: Top Pence aides quietly depart in new year

[pnwmom]

Source: CNN

(CNN) Vice President Mike Pence's chief lawyer and domestic policy director are leaving his office at the beginning of the New Year, according to four sources familiar with the staff turnover.

The moves come amid high tensions and staff turnover in the Trump administration thanks to the ongoing Russia probe and a new tell-all book about West Wing happenings.

CNN has learned that long-time senior staffers Mark Paoletta and Daris Meeks are leaving Pence's office. The announcement was made by chief of staff Nick Ayers in a staff meeting at the beginning of the week.

Paoletta and Meeks' departures follow two other top Pence aides who have left the Office of the Vice President: chief of staff Josh Pitcock and press secretary Marc Lotter. The vice president's staff is considerably smaller than the West Wing, making the departures a more notable shift at the beginning of the new year.

Read more: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/01/05/politics/mike-pence-staff-departures/index.html?__twitter_impression=true

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More rats fleeing a sinking ship.

[democratisphere]

1. Agreed. Rats fleeing a sinking ship.

[BigmanPigman]

2. They're thinking of their own future lagal fees

if they stick around any longer. Pence won't be paying for them but maybe thr RNC will foot the bill.

[Scarsdale]

10. Pence will

say prayers for them with their legal fees. He has his own problems to worry about.

[FakeNoose]

3. We can assume they're the smart ones

Anybody who stays after this - well let's say they'll deserve everything they get.

[CrispyQ]

13. Love that!

[Sneederbunk]

4. Bad moon rising.

[longship]

5. Just watch where they end up!

My guess, something like the Heritage Foundation, Family Research Council, Operation Rescue, or some other wacko political Christian kook organization.

You just watch.

[dembotoz]

11. they generally take care of their own...tho i am somewhat surprised sean spicer is still outside

[dalton99a]

12. Yep - cushy jobs peddling bullshit

[Botany]

6. Mueller is closing in

[HuskyOffset]

7. The real question is . . .

. . . and forgive me for being juvenile, how did someone with “cock” in their name get a job working for *Mike Pence*.

I almost wish I could go back in time and get a job working for Pence a short time after Mr. Pitcock was hired. I’d take every opportunity to use his last name and subtly emphasize the “cock”.

Good morning Mr. Pitcock. How are you today Mr. Pitcock? Did you catch the game last night Mr. Pitcock? You want to grab a beer after work, PitCOCK?

Could you imagine if the other people in the office started doing it too? Pence wouldn’t be able to escape the “cock”.

Maybe it’s just me, but the thought of that scenario playing out makes me laugh.

[LiberalFighter]

8. I would question the motives of anyone leaving Pence's office.

These are people that have a long history with Pence.

[mpcamb]

9. Pence is up to his eyeballs in the Russian dealings. He's going down the drain.

[lindysalsagal]

14. Per TRMS: "Run! Don't Walk!" lol! "It's THE BLOB!"