Kinzinger: Kelly 'Barely Holding It Together' as Trump Chief of Staff, Unable to Restrain President's Worst Impulses

Kinzinger said Kelly looked exhausted at a White House breakfast, telling lawmakers he was "barely holding it together" as chief of staff.

The former congressman wrote Kelly was trying hard to restrain Trump's instincts but suffered from "political shell shock."

Kinzinger said Kelly was intended as a moderating force but tried in vain to divert Trump from terrible ideas.

The lawmaker wrote Kelly had to expend energy combatting Trump's preference to trust his own views over advisors' counsel.

Kinzinger stated Kelly later confirmed claims Trump called fallen soldiers "losers" and "suckers" and showed contempt for Gold Star families.