Carl Bernstein says John Kelly should resign and tell Congress about Trump’s competency

A new book, 'Fear', details a White House allegedly in chaos, and is out on bookshelves next week

Legendary Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein has called on White House Chief of Staff John kelly to resign from his position and testify to Congress about what he has seen during the Trump presidency.

Mr Bernstein called on Mr Kelly to do so after excerpts from a book written by his former reporting partner, Bob Woodward, were . That book details allegedly White House in chaos, with senior officials working to curb some of Mr Trump's more dangerous behaviour.

“I want to say one thing about General Kelly,” Mr Bernstein said during an appearance on CNN. “It would seem to me that General Kelly, in the interest of country, needs to resign”.

Mr Bernstein’s statement surprised host Brooke Baldwin, who countered: “Really?”

The veteran journalist continued: “And with a statement that says, ‘The presidency can no longer be entrusted to this man. … I will be happy to appear before committees of Congress, whether in executive session or whether in open session and tell them what I have seen about this president of the United States and whether or not he is competent and able to lead the United States”.

Mr Woodward’s book includes references to several White House officials who appear uncomfortable with Mr Trump’s abilities as president, including Mr Kelly.

A report on the book released on Tuesday indicates that Mr Kelly often loses his temper, and has called Mr Trump “unhinged”, and said that the president was “an idiot”.

“It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything. He’s gone off the rails. We’re in Crazytown. I don’t even know why any of us are here,” Mr Kelly said, according Mr Woodward’s book. “This is the worst job I’ve ever had”.

In a statement provided to reporters, Mr Kelly denied having called the president an idiot.

“The idea I ever called the President an idiot is not true. As I stated back in May and still firmly stand behind: ‘I spend more time with the President than anyone else, and we have an incredibly candid and strong relationship. He always knows where I stand, and he and I both know this story is total BS. I'm committed to the President, his agenda, and our country. This is another pathetic attempt to smear people close to President Trump and distract from the administration’s many successes,’” the statement read.

Mr Bernstein and Mr Woodward are celebrated Washington journalists, who are largely responsible for the reporting that broke the Watergate scandal that began with a break-in at the Democratic headquarters and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon