Trump chooses Priebus as chief of staff; Bannon to play major role
President-elect Donald Trump named Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus as his White House chief of staff on Sunday, suggesting an increased willingness by Trump to work within Washington’s system to accomplish his agenda.
President-elect Donald Trump named Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus as his White House chief of staff on Sunday, suggesting an increased willingness by Trump to work within Washington’s system to accomplish his agenda.
Priebus was viewed as a choice who could bring order and experience to Trump’s inner circle, which consists largely of family members and advisors with little experience in Washington. He also serves as a bridge to Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, including House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
The other leading candidate to run Trump’s White House staff was campaign CEO Stephen K. Bannon, a more incendiary choice who helped bolster some of Trump’s most divisive rhetoric about Muslims, immigrants and other minority groups.
Bannon will also play a major role in the Trump administration as chief strategist, the president-elect said.
“I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country,” Trump said in a statement. “Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.”
Trump is known to value loyalty. Even as Trump’s outsider candidacy split the GOP during the primaries, Priebus was one of the first party leaders to accept and promote Trump once it became clear he was the likely nominee.
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