Trump’s Historic First Appointment for White House Chief of Staff
President-elect Donald Trump didn’t waste any time making his first appointment for his next administration.
Just two days after his monumental defeat of Democrat challenger Kamala Harris, Trump appointed longtime Republican operative Susie Wiles to be his White House Chief of Staff.
Wiles’ selection marks the first time a woman will hold the coveted job of running the day-to-day operations of the White House.
Wiles was brought onto the Trump Team after his 2020 loss, and is widely credited with helping to streamline and focus the team’s efforts.
With Wiles’ help, Trump notched victories in both the Electoral College and the popular vote, something that no Republican has done in 20 years.
While not a household name, Wiles is well-known in Republican circles in Washington.
Speaking publicly about the historic appointment, Trump lavished praises on Wiles.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. 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.”
President-elect donald J. Trump
Wiles’ selection is also a bold statement of the direction that Trump plans to proceed in his second term.
Many readers will be surprised to discover that Wiles is the daughter of former NFL kicker and legendary announcer Pat Summerall.
In his 2006 biography, Summerall credits his daughter with helping him defeat his alcohol addiction by staging an intervention.
Wiles initially entered politics in the 1970s by assisting on the campaign of a former teammate of her fathers, New York Congressman Jack Kemp.
Kemp, in turn, was a big supporter of Ronald Reagan in his bid for the presidency. In the 1980 presidential election, Wiles worked for him as a scheduler on his campaign and eventually in the White House after his victory.
After her time in D.C., Wiles moved to Florida and worked on the staffs of several Republican politicians there.
Wiles also worked with Rick Scott in his successful bid for Florida governor in 2010
Wiles first met Trump when she became the chairperson of the Trump 2016 campaign in Florida.
Wiles brings 50 years of behind-the-scenes experience to the White House when she takes over her new position in January of 2025.
