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New Bush aide tells staff to expect more changes

Officials reportedly told to go now if they plan to leave

From Ed Henry
CNN Washington Bureau

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White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten told his staff that those planning to leave should do so now.

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White House
Scott McClellan
George W. Bush

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Kicking off his first full week as the White House chief of staff, Josh Bolten immediately told senior aides Monday to be prepared for more personnel changes in coming days to "refresh and re-energize" the Bush administration.

At a morning meeting with senior White House staff, Bolten told colleagues to "expect some changes and adjustments" to the administration, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters later.

Bolten also urged White House staffers who are thinking of leaving soon to inform him immediately of their intentions so they can exit in the short term. Bolten would prefer to make changes at one time and wants a team that will stick it out to help President Bush accomplish his second-term goals, according to McClellan. (Watch Scott McClellan laugh about his future -- 1:53)

"He wanted to make sure he had the team in place that is going to be here for a minimum of the remainder of the year," McClellan said.

Bolten told the staff that "if you're thinking about leaving at some time in the future, now would be a good time to do it," the press secretary said.

McClellan stressed that Bolten will review White House procedures over the next seven to 10 days to see if changes are needed. Any modifications are unlikely to occur before the completion of such a review, he added.

McClellan declined to comment on speculation there may be a dramatic shake-up, except to say that with a "new person coming on board he's going to put his stamp on things."

Bolten officially was sworn in Friday to replace Andrew Card, who had been chief of staff since Day One of the administration.

Pressed on whether Bolten indicated he is looking to replace staffers, McClellan repeated pronouncements that "Josh has been given the full authority of the president" to make changes.

Asked about approaching Bolten with any of his own plans to leave, McClellan told reporters with a smile that he never comments on personnel matters.

The president himself commented on a personnel matter Friday by interrupting his Easter vacation at Camp David, Maryland, with an unusual public statement in support of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Bush said Rumsfeld will stay on despite recent calls from six retired generals, including commanders who led combat troops in Iraq, that the defense chief step down.

McClellan said Bush decided to break his tradition of not commenting on such matters because he wanted to offer his "full public support" for Rumsfeld.

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