Encyclopedia · Biography
John F. Kelly
Retired U.S. Marine Corps general and former White House chief of staff
Personal details
- Full name
- John Francis Kelly
- Born
- May 11, 1950 · Boston, Massachusetts (reported)
- Spouse
- Karen Kelly
- Children
- Three
- Education
- University of Massachusetts Boston; Georgetown University; National War College
- Military service
- U.S. Marine Corps (enlisted 1970; retired 2016)
- Rank
- General
- Federal offices
- Secretary of Homeland Security (January–July 2017); White House chief of staff (July 2017–January 2019)
John Francis Kelly (born 1950) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as secretary of homeland security and then White House chief of staff under President Donald Trump. He previously commanded United States Southern Command.
Family and education
Born and raised in Boston, Kelly enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, left active enlisted service to attend college, and returned as a commissioned officer. His subsequent education included graduate study in national security. In 2012 Senate testimony, he identified his wife Karen and children Kathleen, John and Robert.
Military career
Kelly served in Marine infantry and command positions, including assignments in Iraq. He commanded U.S. Marine Forces Reserve and later U.S. Southern Command, and retired from the Marine Corps in 2016. His son Robert, a Marine, was killed in Afghanistan in 2010.
Homeland security and White House
Trump selected Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security in 2017. On July 31, 2017 Trump publicly swore him in as White House chief of staff, succeeding Reince Priebus. He served until early January 2019, after Trump announced in December 2018 that he would depart.
Administration management and later statements
As chief of staff, Kelly oversaw White House administration and coordination of presidential staff. Published reporting documented disputes over policy and staffing during his tenure. His subsequent public assessments of Trump are separate from decisions made during his period in government and require attribution if included in future updates.
References
Research compiled through November 12, 2026. Sources and historical roles are dated where known.