Trump selects Wiles as Chief of Staff, signals familiar faces for key posts

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will serve as his White House chief of staff, a top role for the strategist who played a significant part in his recent election victory.

The appointment is the first of many expected staffing decisions as Trump prepares to return to the White House on 20 January.

The chief of staff is a crucial position, responsible for managing White House operations, coordinating the president's schedule, and facilitating communication with government departments and lawmakers. Wiles, 67, who has a low-profile approach, will be the first woman to hold this role.

“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and universally admired,” Trump said, expressing confidence in her ability to make the nation proud. Trump has remained at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida since defeating Democrat Kamala Harris in the election.

Trump's team says he is considering a range of candidates for key posts, many of whom are familiar faces from his previous presidency.

Wiles, a seasoned Florida-based political operative, along with fellow campaign manager Chris LaCivita, was credited with running a more structured campaign this time around. Trump publicly thanked both Wiles and LaCivita in his victory speech.

Known for her preference to stay out of the spotlight, Trump jokingly referred to Wiles as the "ice maiden" during his speech. Colleagues describe her as steady and insightful, qualities they believe will bring stability to Trump’s White House, where he previously went through four chiefs of staff during his first term.

“Susie is a strong leader with a record of achieving results," said David Johnson, a Florida-based Republican consultant. Wiles has long been involved in political strategy, including work on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s 2018 win. She also advised Trump during his 2016 and 2020 presidential runs.

Trump reportedly selected Wiles over California Republican Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the House, who has close ties to Trump. Other figures under consideration include Brooke Rollins, former acting director of Trump’s Domestic Policy Council.

Additionally, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally, is reportedly a candidate for US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Richard Grenell, former US Ambassador to Germany and acting intelligence chief in Trump’s previous administration, is being considered for Secretary of State, as is Republican Senator Bill Hagerty, a former US Ambassador to Japan.