Tipsheet

Rumor Mill: Here Are The Candidates In The Running to Replace WH Chief of Staff John Kelly

Beth Baumann
Beth Baumann  |  December 10, 2018 9:20 PM

President Donald Trump's chief of staff, General John Kelly, said he would be leaving the White House at the end of the year. Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, Nick Ayers, was the number one choice to fill Kelly's shoes. Ayers, however, has decided he, too, will leave at the end of the year. He did, however, agree to fill Kelly's roll on an interim basis, until a permanent position is filled.

Trump declined the offer and, instead, said he would find someone to fill Kelly's role permanently. Washington, D.C. is now swirling with rumors of who is being considered for the role.

Here they are:

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC)

Meadows serves as Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of representatives who hold conservative and libertarian ideals. He is also considered one of President Trump's closet allies in Congress. 

Recommended

Fired FEMA Official Just Dug Herself a Deeper Hole Mia Cathell
Trump Names Picks for More Key Roles, Including Communications Director Rebecca Downs

Although Meadows said he hasn't spoken to Trump about the position since Ayers dropped out of the running, he would be incredibly honored to fill the position.

Former Campaign Advisor David Bossie

David Bossie is president of Citizens United and a frequent contributor on Fox News. He is also President Trump's deputy campaign manager during the 2016 election.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

Chris Christie served as governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. He served as Chair of the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission under President Trump. Christie was also a federal attorney for the District of New Jersey.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer

Robert Lighthizer currently serves the Trump administration as the U.S. Trade Representative. He worked at a lawful for a handful of years before serving as chief minority counsel and later staff director and chief of staff of the Senate Committee on Finance under Chairman Bob Dole. He was also the U.S. Trade Representative under President Ronald Reagan.

Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker

Before becoming Acting Attorney General in November, Matt Whitaker served as Chief of Staff to the United States Attorney General. Before that he was the federal attorney for the Southern District of Iowa.