Washington: President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will serve as his White House chief of staff, a major role for the strategist who played an important role in his recent election victory.
The appointment is the first of many expected hiring decisions as Trump prepares to return to the White House on January 20.
The chief of staff is a critical position, responsible for managing White House operations, coordinating the president’s schedule, and facilitating communication with government departments and lawmakers. Wells, 67, who has a low-profile approach, will be the first woman to take on the role.
“Susie is strong, smart, innovative, and universally admired,” Trump said, expressing confidence in her ability to make the nation proud. Trump has remained at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, since the defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris in the elections.
Trump’s team says it is considering a group of candidates for key positions, many of whom are familiar faces from his previous presidency.
Wells, a seasoned political operative based in Florida, along with fellow campaign manager Chris LaCivita, were credited with running a more organized campaign this time around. Trump publicly thanked both Wells and LaCivita in his victory speech.
Known for preferring to stay out of the limelight, Trump jokingly referred to Wells as an “Ice Maiden” during his speech. Her colleagues describe her as steady and insightful, qualities they believe will bring stability to the Trump White House, where he has already gone through four chiefs of staff during his first term.
“Susie is a strong leader with a record of getting results,” said David Johnson, a Florida-based Republican consultant. Wells has long been involved in political strategy, including working on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2018 win. She also advised Trump during his 2016 and 2020 presidential runs.
Trump reportedly favored Wiles over California Republican Kevin McCarthy, the former House speaker, who has close ties to Trump. Other figures under consideration include Brooke Rollins, former acting director of Trump’s Domestic Policy Council.
In addition, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally, is said to be a candidate for US ambassador to the United Nations.
Richard Grenell, the former US ambassador to Germany and acting intelligence chief in the previous Trump administration, is being nominated for Secretary of State, as is Republican Senator Bill Hagerty, the former US ambassador to Japan.