President-elect Donald Trump has made key decisions about the composition of his forthcoming administration.
Trump has confirmed that neither Nikki Haley nor Mike Pompeo will be part of his administration despite previous speculation, Axios reported.
In a statement released through his Truth Social account, Donald Trump articulated that former Ambassador Nikki Haley and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would not be joining his new administration team. Trump stated that he enjoyed working with both during his first term and expressed gratitude for their service.
Nikki Haley, who sharply criticized Trump during the GOP primary as "unhinged" and "toxic," later endorsed him and became a potential running mate. However, Trump ruled out this possibility earlier in May. Following the announcement, Haley expressed no hard feelings and praised her tenure at the United Nations during Trump's presidency.
Mike Pompeo, on the other hand, has remained less confrontational publicly, despite some critical views on Trump’s earlier administration strategies. Pompeo, who served as CIA Director before becoming Secretary of State, was also rumored to have considered a presidential bid himself.
Inside sources from Trump's transition team have indicated that the upcoming administration will heavily favor those who align with Trump's "Make America Great Again" philosophy and possess substantial experience in governance.
The former President's selection of key positions includes a historic appointment. Susie Wiles, who managed his campaign, will serve as chief of staff, making her the first woman to hold this position under Trump and the fifth overall.
Trump's approach to forming his administration reflects a strategic alignment with loyalists, something he underscored as essential for his vision to move America forward.
Here's a detailed comment from President-elect Trump:
I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation. I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country.
Responding to the news, Nikki Haley reminisced about her achievements at the United Nations and remained optimistic about the nation’s future. "I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations," she said, hoping for "great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years."
With the clear intention to veer away from any potential discord within his team, Trump's emphasis on loyalty over previous ties with members from his earlier administration has drawn attention. This choice could shape the operations and perhaps the success of his administration over the next term.
The announcement has certainly set the stage for what can be expected from Trump's administration in terms of personnel decisions that are aimed to strengthen his 2024 mandate possibly reflecting his political strategy and vision for the next four years.
In conclusion, while Trump appreciated the contributions of Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, their exclusion underscores his preference for a strictly loyal team to execute his MAGA agenda. Meanwhile, his administration's outline is becoming clearer with the installation of seasoned loyalists and the historic appointment of Susie Wiles as chief of staff.