WASHINGTON—Steve Bannon, the polarizing nationalist whose race-baiting tactics have been an incendiary hallmark of U.S. President Donald Trump’s flailing young administration, was ousted on Friday in another indication of the White House chaos that shows no sign of abating.Bannon is the fourth top Trump aide to be fired or to resign in less than a month. He is the second, after Anthony Scaramucci, to be forced out days after calling up a journalist and ranting about his colleagues on the record.The ouster of Bannon, described by the White House as a mutual decision, comes as Trump’s new chief of staff, former marine general John Kelly, tries to find a way to impose some semblance of discipline on a dysfunctional organization mired in infighting and policy confusion. The move pleased, though did not satisfy, leaders of minority communities that had been aghast at the elevation of such a person to a position of power. It also leaves Trump’s inner circle nearly devoid of advisors who subscribe either to traditionally Republican policy views or Trump’s brand of racially inflammatory, economically protectionist populism.Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald TrumpBannon was beloved by segments of the president’s base, including trade hawks, opponents of immigration and anti-Muslim bigots. His take-no-prisoners attitude toward Trump’s critics and the media, which he gleefully labelled “the opposition party,” made him a symbol and a proponent of Trump’s unusually antagonistic public message.It was far from clear Bannon’s departure would change anything about Trump’s behaviour. The president, resistant to advice of all kinds, had struck similar notes on race and trade long before Bannon joined his campaign.“Remember, Trump was hawking birtherism - the molding agent between racists and legitimate political opposition to Obama - way before Bannon,” Connecticut Democrat ...
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