Trump Names Susie Wiles as His White House Chief of Staff

President-elect Donald J. Trump has announced the appointment of Susie Wiles as his upcoming administration’s White House chief of staff. Wiles, a seasoned Florida strategist, has been at the helm of Trump’s political operations for nearly four years and managed his successful campaign for the presidency.

In selecting Wiles, Trump opted for a trusted aide with whom he shares a strong rapport. She is well-versed in his working style, maintains close ties with his family, and commands the loyalty of many within his current team. Beyond leading his successful campaign, she has also managed interactions with legal teams concerning his various criminal and civil matters.

Wiles is recognized for orchestrating what many consider to be Trump’s most organized and strategic campaign. She effectively kept many of the more fringe elements away and was responsible for managing the passenger list for Trump’s private aircraft, a demanding task that involved limiting access to the former president when he was reluctant to refuse people himself.

Trump praised Wiles, highlighting her resilience, intelligence, and creativity, and noted that she is widely respected and admired. He also emphasized that Wiles will be the first female Chief of Staff in U.S. history, a distinction he believes is well-earned.

Wiles has expressed some hesitations about the role and has laid out specific conditions to Trump before agreeing to take it on. One of her main stipulations is having more authority over who gets access to the president in the Oval Office, aiming to prevent the chaos and unofficial advisers that complicated the efforts of his senior aides during his initial term.

Other contenders for the role included Brooke Rollins, who leads a policy institute aligned with Trump’s agenda and previously served in his White House. However, Rollins lacks the trust of many in Trump’s current inner circle and is perceived as having more moderate policy stances compared to the hard-line views of Trump’s core supporters.