In a significant move ahead of his return to the White House, President elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Susie Wiles, one of his campaign managers, will be his chief of staff. This decision signals the start of a wave of staffing announcements as Trump prepares for his second term in office, set to begin on January 20.
As chief of staff, Wiles will play a pivotal role in managing the White House, overseeing staff operations, organizing the president’s schedule, and coordinating with other government departments and lawmakers. The position is often referred to as the president’s gatekeeper, given its crucial function in ensuring the smooth operation of the executive branch.
At 67 years old, Wiles will make history as the first woman to hold the position of White House chief of staff. Trump has praised Wiles as tough, smart, innovative and universally admired and respected, expressing full confidence that she will live up to the responsibilities of the role and make our country proud.
Wiles' appointment is seen as a strategic one, as Trump begins assembling a team for his administration. Sources indicate that many familiar faces from his first term are under consideration for key positions, signaling a desire to build on the previous administration’s successes while fostering a sense of continuity.
This announcement comes after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election. Since his win, Trump has been largely secluded at his Mar a Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is taking his time to evaluate potential candidates for his cabinet and White House staff.
Wiles, a seasoned political strategist based in Florida, is widely credited, along with her fellow campaign manager Chris LaCivita, for running a disciplined and successful campaign during Trump’s third bid for the presidency. Compared to his previous runs, the campaign under Wiles' leadership was notably more organized and efficient, which earned her praise from Trump during his victory speech.
Known for her preference to stay out of the spotlight, Wiles earned the nickname Ice Maiden from those within the Trump campaign for her calm and steady demeanor. In a recent speech, Trump himself referred to her as tough and expressed his admiration for her ability to remain composed under pressure.
While Wiles tends to remain in the background, those who have worked closely with her have praised her leadership style and effectiveness. Republican strategist Ford O'Connell described her as a strong woman and a true leader with a proven track record of getting things done. Her no nonsense approach and keen political instincts are expected to bring much needed stability and counsel to a White House that often faced internal chaos during Trump’s first term.
One of the biggest challenges of Trump’s first term was managing turnover in key staff positions, particularly in the chief of staff role. During his initial four years in office, Trump cycled through four chiefs of staff an unusually high turnover rate. These frequent changes were a reflection of the difficulty many experienced in managing the unpredictable nature of the Trump White House.
Wiles, however, is viewed as someone who can bring a more steady and disciplined approach to the White House operations. Colleagues who have worked with her over the years describe her as calm, focused, and able to maintain a sense of order in even the most challenging situations. As chief of staff, Wiles will face the critical task of balancing the demands of managing the White House with the need to support Trump’s leadership style, which is often unconventional and bold.
As Trump prepares to enter his second term, all eyes will be on his staffing decisions, with many speculating that his administration will look to build a more cohesive and effective team compared to his first term. With Susie Wiles at the helm as chief of staff, Trump is signaling a move toward stability and wise counsel qualities that will likely prove crucial as he navigates the complexities of governing the nation for another four years.
For now, Wiles’ appointment marks a historic moment in Trump’s presidency and sets the stage for what promises to be another unconventional and eventful chapter in American politics.