Washington (CNN) Chief of staff John Kelly got into a physical altercation with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski last winter, grabbing him by the collar and trying to have him removed from the White House, two sources familiar with the incident confirmed to CNN.

The New York Times was the first to report on the February incident. Lewandowski did not respond to a CNN request for comment.

on Monday, citing people briefed on the event. Kelly blasted Lewandowski for making huge profits from his contract with Trump's re-election political action committee and for criticizing Kelly on television for his handling Lewandowski and Kelly were in President Donald Trump's office when the altercation occurred, the Times reportedon Monday, citing people briefed on the event. Kelly blasted Lewandowski for making huge profits from his contract with Trump's re-election political action committee and for criticizing Kelly on television for his handling domestic abuse allegations against then-staff secretary Rob Porter, the Times reported.

After the two men exited the office as Trump took a phone call, Kelly called for someone to remove Lewandowski from the building, prompting an argument between the two, the paper reported.

Lewandowski raised his voice, while Kelly grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward a wall, the Times reported, citing a person with direct knowledge of the episode.

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