Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): President-elect Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that Susie Wiles, one of his key campaign managers, will be appointed as his White House Chief of Staff.
Wiles, who played an instrumental role in Trump’s recent election victory, will take on this crucial role as Trump prepares to begin his second term on January 20.
The Chief of Staff is one of the most influential positions in the US government, responsible for overseeing the operations of the White House, managing the president's schedule, and facilitating communication between the president, government agencies, and lawmakers.
At 67, Wiles will make history as the first woman to ever hold the position in a Republican administration.
"Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and universally admired," Trump said, expressing his confidence in her leadership abilities. He praised her for her ability to serve the country well in this high-profile role.
Since his election victory over Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump has been based at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Wiles' appointment marks the first of several staffing decisions expected as Trump builds his team for his second term.
Sources indicate that Trump is considering a variety of candidates for key positions, many of whom are familiar faces from his first presidency.
Wiles, who is known for working behind the scenes, was credited with running a more organized and structured campaign alongside her fellow campaign manager, Chris LaCivita.
In his victory speech, Trump specifically thanked both Wiles and LaCivita for their significant contributions.
Despite her behind-the-scenes role, Wiles earned the nickname "ice maiden" from Trump due to her calm and composed demeanor.
Those who know her describe her as steady, reliable, and insightful—traits that are expected to bring much-needed stability to the White House, which saw four different chiefs of staff during Trump’s first term.
"Susie is a strong leader with a long track record of delivering results," said David Johnson, a Florida-based Republican consultant.
Wiles has decades of experience in political strategy, including her work on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s 2018 re-election campaign. She also advised Trump during his 2016 and 2020 runs for president.
Reports indicate that Trump considered several other prominent figures for the Chief of Staff role, including former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, a close ally of Trump.
Additionally, other candidates for top positions in the new administration include Brooke Rollins, the former acting director of Trump’s Domestic Policy Council, and New York Representative Elise Stefanik, who is reportedly being considered for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
As Trump looks to fill other key roles, Richard Grenell, the former US Ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first term, is being considered for Secretary of State.
Republican Senator Bill Hagerty, who served as US Ambassador to Japan, is also rumoured to be in the running for a prominent cabinet position.