anonymous comments to the media during his last days in office. "I don't know what the purpose was," he said. "To this day, I'm still mystified by that." Hagel reportedly battled the White House's micromanaging of the Pentagon. He claimed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs complained, "White House staffers were calling generals 'and asking fifth-level questions that the White House should not be involved in.'" These were serious criticisms by ex-secretaries of defense about an incumbent president during wartime. Yet the media did not foam at the mouth.

This is not to say that there haven't been missteps, pullbacks and recalibrations at a dizzying rate in Trump's new administration. This stems from the top, and the recent personnel changes make it clear that Trump knows he needs discipline.Tour de Yorkshire to make history in Wakefield

Mike Muncaster

Crowds have started to line the route of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire as Wakefield prepares to make history.

And the excitement is building in the city centre with spectators coming from across the region to watch the world’s elite cyclists take part in the final stage of the race .

Crowds have gathered outside the team’s bases on Northgate to try and catch a glimpse of the riders, including the first English winner of the Tour De France Sir Bradley Wiggins and two time Olympic medallist Ed Clancy from Huddersfield.

Wakefield Council leader Coun Peter Box said he is delighted Wakefield will play a part in creating history.

He said: “The weather isn’t perfect but that hasn’t stopped people coming in numbers to