Who is Mira Ricardel? Melania Trump Called for Ousting of Top National Security Aide After Pair Reportedly Clashed in Africa

The deputy national security adviser and top aide to national security adviser John Bolton was subject Tuesday to reports of her potential ouster from the White House, and even a declaration by first lady Melania Trump that the deputy adviser no longer deserved to serve.

Mira Ricardel, who joined the Trump administration in May and has worked under Bolton with the current president and former commander-in-chief George W. Bush, has reportedly clashed with both White House chief of staff John Kelly and the first lady, according to The Wall Street Journal and NBC News.

Ricardel reportedly had spats with the first lady over her trip to Africa last month, including about airplane seating and the use of National Security Council resources, according to the Journal's report. Ricardel also had troubles with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, and Kelly has been trying to oust Ricardel "for weeks," even as Bolton defends his top aide.

The first lady took the issue to the president as they traveled to France over the weekend, and on Tuesday firmly called for Ricardel to lose her job.

"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 first lady's spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement.

The Journal reported later on Tuesday afternoon that Ricardel had been escorted from the White House.

However, the White House denied the Journal's account, telling reporters Ricardel had not been removed and was sitting at her desk working.

The bold statement was made just hours after Grisham had issued a separate statement about the first lady's independence from the West Wing and described a "positive working" relationship.

"The East Wing is very focused on the First Lady's initiatives and works independently," Grisham said in a statement to NBC. "However, we do collaborate on a variety of projects and work alongside many departments within the West Wing. We have a very positive working relationship."

The NBC report delved into Kelly clashing with the first lady. Earlier this year, Kelly had ousted of some staffers, like the first lady's director of operations. The first lady is said to have viewed it as a slight against her.

Unlike Ricardel, the first lady has not pushed for Kelly to leave his post as the president's right-hand man. But the former general has faced numerous reports about his potential exit from the White House.

President Trump has reportedly concluded that he will eventually replace Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, but according to the Journal had not decided on when. The president reportedly knows that Nielsen's departure could lead to Kelly's resignation, but no firm decisions have been made.