President-elect Trump said Saturday that two of his former officials, Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, would not be asked to join his second administration.
Why it matters: There is plenty of water under the bridge between Haley, Trump's former UN ambassador, and the president-elect after they clashed during the GOP primary. Though she ultimately endorsed Trump, she rebuked him on the campaign trail as "unhinged" and "toxic."
- Trump had previously said Haley would be on his team in "some form" after she vowed to vote for him.
- There was even speculation she could serve as the president-elect's running mate — an idea Trump quickly quashed in May.
Driving the news: "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 wrote on Truth Social Saturday.
- He continued, "I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country."
What she's saying: Haley replied to her former opponent's post, writing on X Saturday she was "proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations," wishing him "great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years."
Between the lines: Transition insiders told Axios the former and soon-to-be president is prioritizing experienced candidates (who are also MAGA loyalists) when building his staff, Axios' Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei report.
- He announced Thursday that co-campaign manager Susie Wiles will serve as his chief of staff.
- She will be the first woman to ever hold the post — and the fifth chief of staff for Trump, who had four different individuals serve in the role during his first presidency.
Zoom out: Mike Pompeo, who served as CIA director and Secretary of State under Trump's first term, has not traded barbs with the president-elect as Haley has — but he has criticized the former administration on fiscal and foreign policy.
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