Trump taps veteran Florida political operative Susie Wiles for top White House job

Max Greenwood, Miami Herald on Nov 7, 2024

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President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Susie Wiles, the co-manager of his presidential campaign, as his White House chief of staff, elevating a longtime Florida political hand who has helped orchestrate some of the most crucial Republican wins in the state.

Wiles, who has worked for Republican politicians ranging from Jacksonville mayors to gubernatorial and presidential hopefuls, will become the first woman to serve in the prestigious White House role. In a statement, Trump called Wiles an “integral part” of his campaign and credited her with helping him “achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history.”

“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Wiles’ appointment comes just two days after Trump reclaimed the White House in a dramatic upset for Democrats that saw the former president and current president-elect sweep several key battleground states.

Wiles, a disciplined operative known for eschewing the public spotlight, helped oversee the Trump campaign’s strategy and messaging alongside co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita. Speaking to a crowd at his election-night watch party in West Palm Beach early Wednesday morning, Trump credited Wiles for her work on his reelection bid.

“We call her the ice maiden,” Trump said. “Susie likes to stay in the background.”

Wiles isn’t a newcomer to Trump’s orbit. She directed his successful presidential campaign in Florida in 2016. She went on to work on Ron DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign before a falling out with the Florida governor. Wiles eventually returned to work on Trump’s 2020 reelection bid, in which he won Florida but lost the overall race.

As Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Wiles is expected to play a crucial role in filling out the president-elect’s Cabinet.

Wiles’ appointment as White House chief of staff is the first major staffing decision from Trump since his victory in Tuesday’s election. His transition team, which will help Trump hire for some of his administration’s most prominent roles, is led by former Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon and billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick.

In a statement issued earlier on Thursday, McMahon and Lutnick said that they were prepared to move forward with the hiring process for Trump’s incoming administration, insisting that the former president’s electoral victory amounted to a “mandate” from the American people.

“As he chooses the best people to join his team and best policies to pursue, his transition team will ensure the implementation of President Trump’s commonsense agenda starting on Day 1,” they said.

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