Trump Picks Reince Priebus As Chief Of Staff, Steve Bannon As Chief Strategist
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Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, has been chosen by Donald Trump to serve as his White House chief of staff, the president-elect's transition team announced.
In a list of potential Trump cabinet picks previously obtained by BuzzFeed News, Priebus was the only candidate listed for the position.
However, Trump advisors had indicated that former campaign chairman and conservative media firebrand Steve Bannon of Breitbart News was also in the running for the job.
Instead, the transition team announced Bannon would serve in the White House as Trump's chief strategist and a senior counselor.
Priebus and Bannon are the first two people to officially join the Trump administration.
"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."
Both men said they were thankful for the chance to serve in Trump's White House.
"I want to thank President-elect Trump for the opportunity to work with Reince in driving the agenda of the Trump Administration,” said Bannon. “We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda.”
“It is truly an honor to join President-elect Trump in the White House as his Chief of Staff,” said Priebus. “I am very grateful to the President-elect for this opportunity to serve him and this nation as we work to create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace Obamacare, and destroy radical Islamic terrorism. He will be a great President for all Americans.”
Bannon in Trump Tower on Friday.
Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Unlike other mainstream Republicans, Priebus maintained a close relationship with Trump during the chaotic 2016 presidential election campaign, urging the businessman to tone down his controversial comments while repeatedly pleading with his party members to unite behind their nominee.
During Trump's victory's speech early Wednesday morning, the president-elect singled out Priebus for his assistance during the campaign.
"Reince is really a star and he is the hardest-working guy," Trump said.
The position of chief of staff is a hugely influential role during any administration, with the office-holder serving as a form of gatekeeper to the president and providing advice.
Despite this, Bannon's appointment was listed first in the statement released by the Trump team. Before taking the reins of the Trump campaign in August, Bannon helmed Breitbart News, a right-wing media outlet known, in part, for its critical coverage of establishment conservatives. Bannon has framed Trump’s rise as part of a "sea change in American politics," connected to a global nationalist wave.
"The Bannon-Priebus team is a tremendous choice by President elect Trump," Newt Gingrich said on Twitter after the announcement. "Bannon for key strategies, Priebus for daily management. Great team."
Gingrich is among other names being considered for the Trump cabinet, according to a list obtained by BuzzFeed News, including Chris Christie, Ben Carson, Sarah Palin, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Huckabee.
Some political observers on the left voiced their dismay to the announcement. David Axelrod, the former top adviser and chief campaign strategist to President Barack Obama said Bannon's appointment is "deeply troubling." Jon Lovett, a former Obama speechwriter said, "My stomach dropped when I saw the Bannon news, but not because I was surprised. It's just our worst fears in the grim wide open."
John Weaver, the top campaign strategist for Republican presidential contender and Ohio Govenor Jon Kasich, was even more critical on Twitter. "The racist, fascist extreme right is represented footsteps from the Oval Office. Be very vigilant America," he said, referring to Bannon's new post.
A spokesperson for the RNC did not initially respond to a request for comment as to who would serve as the interim RNC chairperson.
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