WASHINGTON – In an extraordinary step for a first lady, Melania Trump called for the dismissal of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel.

"It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she (Ricardel) no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House," said a statement from Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's communications director.

The statement came minutes after a Diwali event hosted by President Donald Trump that Ricardel attended. </s> Deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel has been fired, barely 24 hours after first lady Melania Trump publicly called for her dismissal.

Melania Trump reportedly made the unprecedented request in response to a squabble with Ricardel over seating on a plane during the first lady’s trip to Africa last month and over the first lady’s staff’s attempt to use National Security Council resources.

Not helping her case, CNN notes the adviser was also suspected of leaking unflattering stories about Trump officials she viewed as opponents and had a reputation for being brusque.

“Mira Ricardel will continue to support the President as she departs the White House to transition to a new role within the Administration,” Sanders said. “The President is grateful for Ms. Ricardel’s continued service to the American people and her steadfast pursuit of his national security priorities.”

Ricardel served as the top aide to national security adviser John Bolton, who had resisted calls for her dismissal, according to Politico. Bolton is in Singapore this week with Vice President Mike Pence for the ASEAN-U.S. Summit and the East Asia Summit.

Ricardel formerly held positions in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. </s> In an extraordinary move, Melania Trump is publicly calling for the dismissal of a top White House National Security Council official.

WASHINGTON — In an extraordinary move, Melania Trump is publicly calling for the dismissal of a top White House National Security Council official.

After reports circulated Tuesday that the president had decided to remove Mira Ricardel from the NSC, the first lady’s spokeswoman issued a statement saying: “It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that the first lady’s staff and Ricardel clashed during Mrs. Trump’s visit to Africa in October over such things as seating on the plane and requests to use the council’s resources.

Ricardel attended a White House ceremony Tuesday with President Donald Trump celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. </s> WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary move, Melania Trump is publicly calling for the dismissal of a top White House National Security Council official.

After reports circulated Tuesday that the president had decided to remove Mira Ricardel from the NSC, the first lady's spokeswoman issued a statement saying: "It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House."

The Wall Street Journal reported that the first lady's staff and Ricardel clashed during Mrs. Trump's visit to Africa in October over such things as seating on the plane and requests to use the council's resources.

Ricardel attended a White House ceremony Tuesday with President Donald Trump celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. </s> WASHINGTON (AP) - In an extraordinary move, Melania Trump is publicly calling for the dismissal of a top White House National Security Council official.

After reports circulated Tuesday that the president had decided to remove Mira Ricardel from the NSC, the first lady's spokeswoman issued a statement saying: "It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House."

The Wall Street Journal reported that the first lady's staff and Ricardel clashed during Mrs. Trump's visit to Africa in October over such things as seating on the plane and requests to use the council's resources.

Ricardel attended a White House ceremony Tuesday with President Donald Trump celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. </s> WASHINGTON (AP) - Deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after first lady Melania Trump's office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal.

No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first lady's staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the president's national security staff.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel will have a new role in the administration.

On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's spokeswoman, released a statement saying: "It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House."

President Donald Trump's White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump.

An ally of national security adviser John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year.

Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. </s> WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary move, Melania Trump is publicly calling for the dismissal of a top White House National Security Council official.

After reports circulated Tuesday that the president had decided to remove Mira Ricardel from the NSC, the first lady's spokeswoman issued a statement saying: "It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House."

FROM ONE TO ANOTHER: Michelle Obama says she's not advised Melania Trump

The Wall Street Journal reported that the first lady's staff and Ricardel clashed during Mrs. Trump's visit to Africa in October over such things as seating on the plane and requests to use the council's resources.

Ricardel attended a White House ceremony Tuesday with President Donald Trump celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. </s> Melania Trump made headlines Tuesday when she publicly called for a staffer at the National Security Council to be fired. The First Lady has asked that Mira Ricardel to be let go from her government job. Ricardel is the top deputy for John Bolton, the National Security Adviser, according to Vox.

Reports say that Melania Trump clashed with Ricardel during the First Lady’s well-publicized trip to Africa.

Ricardel previous served in the George W. Bush Administration as deputy assistant secretary of defense. She was also part of Trump’s White House transition team.

CNN is reporting that Donald Trump has decided to respond to Melania’s request; he will be firing Ricardel. Reportedly, she is being given time to clean out her desk.

This is a best-case scenario for Melania, who does not have any official authority inside the White House.

Being the First Lady is not an actual job, though some believe this person does have a role to play. The First Lady does not have official responsibilities, and throughout history these women have all navigated the role in their own way.

While the President of the United States earns a salary, the First Lady does not, according to Metro. This is not a paid position, though the First Lady is given her own office space and staff within the White House.

It’s also not an option to simply refuse to be First Lady. If your husband is elected President, you’re the First Lady and that’s it. Michelle Obama gave up a 6-figure salary to join husband Barack in the White House, and Hillary Clinton resigned as a partner in a law firm when Bill became POTUS.

The unwritten rule for First Ladies is that they are the hostesses of the White House.

But since the First Lady is not an actual job, the First Lady does not have the power to fire staffers. The best Melania can hope for is that Donald Trump will fire people based on her recommendation — and that seems to be happening right now.

In a statement released Tuesday by the First Lady’s communications director, Melania said that Ricardel “no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House,” according to CNN. It’s a pretty strong move.

Some media reports are saying that Ricardel has already been escorted off the White House grounds, though a senior official has denied these reports.

Insiders say that Melania and Ricardel argued over seating on the plane during the First Lady’s trip to Africa. There was also a disagreement about how to use National Security Council resources. </s> WASHINGTON – In an extraordinary step for a first lady, Melania Trump called Tuesday for the dismissal of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, someone who a White House official said she'd never met.

"It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she (Ricardel) no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House," said a statement from Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's communications director.

The statement from Grisham came minutes after a Diwali event hosted by President Donald Trump that Ricardel attended.

Two administration officials said Ricardel, whom National Security Adviser John Bolton appointed this year, has clashed with many staff members, not just the first lady.

Ricardel argued with Melania Trump's staff over airplane seating for the first lady's recent trip to Africa, officials said. They accused Ricardel, who wound up not going to Africa, of spreading false stories about the incident.

But, Tuesday evening a senior White House official told USA TODAY "Ricardel has never met the first lady." The official added Ricardel serves as one of the highest-ranking women in the administration.

As of Tuesday afternoon, officials said that Ricardel has not been fired and still works at the White House.

First ladies often lobby their husbands to take certain actions – perhaps most famously when Nancy Reagan urged President Ronald Reagan to dismiss chief of staff Donald Regan in 1987 – but they normally do it behind the scenes.

It's unusual for a first lady to issue a public statement about an administration staff member.

Garrett Marquis, a spokesman for the National Security Council, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Bolton appointed Ricardel to be his deputy in March. She had been serving as an arms control undersecretary in the Commerce Department; she has previously worked in many other government positions at the State Department and in Congress.

NBC News also reported that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly may be on the way out, in part because he has "gotten on the wrong side of Melania Trump" – a claim the first lady's office has denied.

"Mrs. Trump has a very positive relationship with Chief Kelly and there have never been any issues between the two," Grisham said.

President Donald Trump and Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Navtej Singh Sarna shake hands during a Diwali ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Nov. 13, 2018 in Washington, D.C. Mira Ricardel stands second row, second from right.
First Lady of the United States Melania Trump calls for the ousting of Deputy National Security Advisor Mira Ricardel.