President-elect Donald Trump’s first cabinet position was given to Susan Wiles, who will serve as the first female chief of staff in history.
Wiles, who managed President’s Trump campaign, has had a successful track record helping Republican candidates win their respective races.
In 2010, she helped US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) win his Florida gubernatorial race.
Wiles also led Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ own first gubernatorial race.
President Trump commended Wiles for her support during his campaign, alleging she “helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history.”
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” said Trump. “I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
The Floridian's Javier Manjarres, who has known Wiles for over a decade, praised her selection, saying that President Trump was "fortunate to have such a loyal friend by his side."
"Before anything, Susie is the President's friend. The President has been fortunate to have such loyal friend by his side. Susie has been a loyal friend to many of us and is someone who is not looking to climb the political ladder, but rather someone who is truly invested in his success," Manjarres said.
Wiles, 67, has previously stated she comes from a traditional conservative background, but that she has evolved with the times to remain effective.
“There are changes we must live with in order to get done the things we’re trying to do,” Wiles said.
Following Wiles, Trump is expected to announce more significant cabinet position picks in the coming days.
Names that have been floated include Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Elon Musk, Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL).
Senator Rubio did not rule out a position within Trump’s administration when asked by CNN, while stating he had not been spoken to by anyone within the Trump campaign about joining the administration.
“I haven't had any such conversations with anybody in the Trump administration, and either way, I plan to work with them, whether it's on in the Senate, which is an important place to be, or in some other capacity,” he said.
Representative Waltz has been rumored for a potential Secretary of Defense position.
Waltz told the media last July he would be open to filling such a role within Trump’s administration if he was selected for it.
“I’ve worked in the Pentagon. I’ve worked in the White House and now on the committees. I’ve obviously been in the military for 27 years. I’ve helped advise [Trump] on national security issues and if the president calls, the president calls,” Waltz said.
