President-elect Donald Trump, on Thursday, announced that one of his campaign managers, Susie Wiles will be his White House chief of staff, assigning a top position to a political operative who helped the Republican win the election. She will be the first female to hold this position in US history.
According to Reuters, the appointment was the first of the upcoming staffing announcements as Trump readies himself for his return to the White House on January 20.
Wiles along with fellow campaign manager Chris LaCivita have been credited with running a more disciplined operation for Trump’s third presidential bid compared with his past campaigns. Trump thanked them both during his victory speech early on Wednesday.
Who Is Susie Wiles?
A veteran Florida political strategist Susie Wiles has been in political circles for decades. According to the Associated Press, Wiles entered politics in 1980 while working on Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign. The daughter of NFL player and sportscaster Pat Summerall has worked with Trump by leading his state campaigns in 2016 and 2020, she managed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ winning 2018 campaign. But the two developed a rift that eventually led DeSantis to urge Trump’s 2020 campaign to cut its ties with the strategist when she was again running the then-president’s state campaign.
Before which she ran Rick Scott’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign in Florida and briefly managed former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential bid.
She is known to avoid the spotlight, she even refused to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early Wednesday morning.
Wiles As Chief Of Staff
Wiles, as the chief of staff, will be the president’s confidant. She will manage the White House staff, organise the president’s time and schedule, and maintain contact with other government departments and lawmakers.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” Trump said in a statement, according to Reuters. “I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
“Susie likes to stay in the back, let me tell you,” Trump said, as she stood toward the back of the stage. “We call her the ice maiden.”
As per Reuters, several people who have worked with Wiles in interviews said on Thursday, that she would provide stability to Trump in the White House this term. During his 2017-2021 term, Trump ran through four chiefs of staff, as they struggled to rein in the famously undisciplined president.