President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Susie Wiles, the de facto leader of his victorious campaign, as White House chief of staff – the first woman to hold this powerful position.
Trump names Susie Wiles as chief of staff, first woman in role
Susie Wiles is widely recognised in Trump’s inner circle and beyond as the head of his most disciplined and well-run campaign, and she was considered the top contender for the job.
Hiring Wiles is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and could be a defining test for his future administration as he must quickly build a team to help run the huge federal government. Wiles does not have much experience in the federal government, but she has a close relationship with the president-elect.
During the campaign, Wiles was able to do what few others have been able to do: help control Trump’s impulses – not by chiding him or lecturing him, but by earning his respect and showing him that he was better off following her advice than ignoring it.
Eight years ago, Trump abandoned careful planning for his transition team and instead hired a motley crew of aides, family members and Republican insiders who spent much of his first year in the infighting that has dominated news about the new administration.
Many experts see it as a fundamental mistake that hamstrung a president who was new to Washington and government after being sworn in.
During his first administration, Trump replaced four chiefs of staff – including one who had been acting for a year – as part of a record-breaking personnel shake-up.
Many aides were ousted by Trump during his first term, they resented being made to feel manipulated or condescended to, and others were caught up in ideological squabbles in the fractious West Wing. Trump aides hope Wiles’ choice shows that the president-elect is seeking to build a more cohesive team, but one that will almost certainly remain less traditional than his Democratic or Republican predecessors.
Trump, who pledged in 2016 to hire “only the best people,” has since repeatedly said he believes the biggest mistake of his first term was that he hired the wrong people.
At the time, he said, he was new to Washington and did not know any better. But now, Trump said, he knows the “best people” and those who should be avoided for jobs in his administration. Trump said in a statement:
Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.
Successful chiefs of staff serve as the President’s confidant, helping to implement his agenda and balance competing policy and political priorities.
Wiles is a long-time Republican strategist from Florida who managed Trump’s campaigns in the state in 2016 and 2020, as well as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ successful bid for the presidency in 2018.
She previously managed Rick Scott’s campaign for Florida governor in 2010 and briefly served as the presidential campaign manager for former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman in 2012.
Biden urges Americans to “lower the temperature” after Trump’s US election victory
US President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Americans “bring down the temperature” after Republican Donald Trump’s election victory and sought to comfort fellow Democrats alarmed by the former president’s stunning comeback. Biden said in the White House Rose Garden, addressing staffers who were disappointed by the defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris:
Setbacks are unavoidable. Giving up is unforgivable. A defeat does not mean we are defeated.
Biden also said Tuesday’s election proved the integrity of the US electoral system and promised an orderly transition of power – an implicit rebuke to Trump, who sought to undo his defeat in 2020 and made unsubstantiated allegations of fraud during this year’s campaign as well. He added:
Something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for is see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans, bring down the temperature. I also hope we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system. It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose.
Biden invited Trump to meet at the White House – a courtesy Trump did not extend to Biden in 2020 – and Trump’s campaign said the president-elect would go for it. In the coming weeks, Trump will be selecting staff to work under his administration.
Some Democrats blame the 81-year-old Biden for Harris’ defeat, saying he shouldn’t have sought re-election. Biden only withdrew his re-election bid in July after a failed televised debate with Trump raised alarms about his mental health. He said:
We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up.
On Wednesday, Harris tried to comfort her supporters. Like Biden, she promised to help Trump in the transition period before his inauguration on 20 January, but urged Democrats to keep fighting for what they believe in.
Some Democrats worry that losing means their values – left-leaning, socially liberal – are now in the minority among Americans. Others were disappointed with the party’s leadership, which they say has lost touch with voters who want help in tackling the high cost of living.
The US election was held on November 5, with Trump receiving 292 Electoral College votes with 270 needed to win. According to the Associated Press, nearly 70.9 million voters cast ballots for Trump, while Harris had about 66 million. The term of office of the current head of state Joe Biden will expire on January 20, 2025, on the same day the inauguration of the new President of the United States will take place.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, leader of the party Debout la France (France Arise), commented on Trump’s return to power:
The election of Donald Trump is a major challenge for France and Europe. I think it is good news for Americans who are going to change policies and defend their country.
