President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday evening that he would not invite his rival for the Republican Party's presidential nomination and former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, as well as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to the new administration.
“I will not invite former Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join the administration (…) that is currently being formed,” he said. Donald Trump on the online messenger he founded, Truth Social. “I greatly appreciate my previous cooperation with them and would like to thank them for their service to our country,” he added.
Haley, a former governor of South Carolina, served as U.S. ambassador to the United States during Trump's first term UN. She was Trump's main rival for the Republican Party's presidential nomination in the party's 2024 primaries. Although she criticized him heavily during this period, she ultimately supported him in the campaign.
Haley replied to Trump's post on X, wishing him a successful term: “I was proud to work with President Trump to defend America at the United Nations. I wish him and all who serve great success in pursuing a stronger, safer America in the next four years”.
Pompeo, former secretary of state and director CIAwas previously tipped for the position of defense secretary. He is also one of the few Trump allies with strong support Ukraine and NATO.
Who will appear in the new administration?
Commentators predict that Trump will fill the new administration with loyalists.
On Saturday, Trump's eldest son, Donald Jr., said he would be “very closely involved in the transition process” to make sure “who really carries out the president's message.”
On Thursday, the president-elect announced that One of the most important positions in the new US administration, White House chief of staff, is to be taken by Susie Wileswho until now was one of the managers of his election campaign.
Main photo source: CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/PAP/EPA