As the president’s gatekeeper, the chief of staff often wields considerable influence. This person manages the White House staff, organizes the president’s time and schedule, and liaises with other government departments and lawmakers.
The low-key Wiles, 67, will be the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff.
“Suzy was strong, smart, innovative and universally admired and respected,” Trump said in a statement. “I have no doubt she will make our country proud.”
Since defeating Democrat Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election, Trump has been reclusive at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Four sources said he is considering appointing numerous names to senior positions in his administration, many of whom are familiar figures from his time as president from 2017 to 2021. Wiles, a longtime Florida political strategist, and campaign manager Chris LaCivita are credited with operating a more disciplined campaign in Trump’s third presidential campaign than in Trump’s past campaigns.
Trump thanked both of them during his victory speech earlier Wednesday.
“Let me tell you, Suzy likes to be in the back,” Trump said from behind the stage. “We call her the Ice Maiden.”
Several people who have worked with Wiles said in interviews Thursday that she would provide Trump with stability and sound advice in the White House.
Trump has had an unusually high number of four chiefs of staff during his term from 2017 to 2021, as they struggled to rein in a president with a reputation for undiscipline.
“Susie is a strong woman and a true leader with a proven track record of getting things done,” said Florida Republican consultant David Johnson.
Wiles previously worked on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign and helped Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis win the 2018 election. consultant.
Trump chose Wiles over former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
McCarthy and Brooke Rollins, the former acting director of Trump’s Domestic Policy Council, have been contenders, sources said.
New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally, is being considered to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a person familiar with the matter said.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell is being considered for secretary of state. .
Former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Republican Senator Bill Hagerty is also being considered for the position, sources said.
“I’ll leave the speculation to speculators,” Hagerty said when asked by CNN whether he would consider taking a role in the Trump administration.