Trump transition in disarray after firing of senior team members

Transitional arrangements for US President-elect Donald Trump appeared to be in disarray on Wednesday as a second senior member of his team departed under a cloud.

While Trump insisted that his plans were on course and that the process was “organised”, there was no explanation for the sudden departure of former Republican congressman Mike Rogers and lobbyist Matthew Freedman.

Using social media to rebut suggestions that a purge had taken place, Trump alluded to his role on the “Apprentice” reality TV show to say only he knew who “the finalists” were in terms of his top team.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who headed the team, was dumped last week and NBC News quoted insiders as saying that Rogers, who was handling national security issues, was the victim of a “Stalinist purge” of those close to Christie.

“Two sources close to the situation described an atmosphere of sniping and backbiting as Trump loyalists position themselves for key jobs,” the network reported.

Further speculation surrounded the potential future roles of Trump's three children Donald Jr, Eric, Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

According to the Guardian, both the Pentagon and State Department were yet to hear from the incoming administration and whether or not the family members would be seeking high level security clearances.

Concerns were also raised about conflict of interest over plans for the children to take over the running of Trumpf's business interests while he was in the White House.

Events of the past week within the Trump camp were described as a “knife fight” by one insider. The New York Times cited one as saying that Kushner was behind the firing of Christie. Kushner's father Charles was sent to jail by Christie in 2005 for two years when he was a federal prosecutor for making illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering. He served a year.