President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday that former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not be part of his upcoming administration. Trump’s decision comes as he works with his inner circle at Mar-a-Lago to build a team for his second term, with loyalty and alignment to his agenda being key criteria.
“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The decision marks a clear departure from Trump’s first administration, where both Haley and Pompeo played prominent roles. Haley, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, ran against Trump in the GOP primary but exited the race in March after failing to gain traction. During her campaign, she criticized Trump and argued she was the only Republican candidate capable of defeating President Joe Biden before he exited the race and endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Despite her criticism, Haley attempted to soften her stance in a Wall Street Journal op-ed just before Election Day, calling Trump “clearly the better choice” over Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Trump’s camp appears unconvinced by Haley’s last-minute shift in tone. Haley, 52, had publicly stated in August that she had no interest in serving in a Trump administration, saying, “The campaign was never about a position.”
As for Pompeo, Trump’s former Secretary of State and CIA Director has faced backlash from within the Republican Party for his perceived lack of support during Trump’s campaign. Pompeo remained mostly silent throughout the race and was criticized for backing special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump over the handling of classified documents. The investigation was a sore point for many in Trump’s base, who saw it as part of a broader effort to undermine his candidacy.
Republican strategist Roger Stone took to his website on Friday night to issue a public warning to Trump, advising against including Pompeo in his cabinet. “If Pompeo is placed into the next Trump administration, his history shows he would promote the hegemony of the deep state rather than an authentic America First agenda,” Stone cautioned. He suggested that Pompeo’s rumored interest in a cabinet position could be more about self-interest than supporting Trump’s vision.
Trump’s decision to exclude Haley and Pompeo comes as he continues to finalize his core team for the White House. He recently named campaign co-chair Susie Wiles as his next White House Chief of Staff, signaling a strong preference for those who have remained loyal throughout his 2024 campaign. Wiles played a crucial role in Trump’s victory against Kamala Harris, and her appointment reflects the president-elect’s focus on building a team dedicated to advancing his America First agenda.
With Trump’s win secured and his administration taking shape, the exclusion of high-profile figures like Haley and Pompeo marks a clear pivot towards a new lineup of trusted allies. Trump’s supporters view these moves as a step towards ensuring that his second term will be guided by loyalists committed to his vision of making America great again.