Trump’s New Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles Reveals How Second Admin Will Be Different

Incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed in an interview with Axios how she will use a no-nonsense approach to differentiate the second Trump administration from the first.

Wiles told Axios that in Trump’s second administration, the West Wing will not tolerate “backbiting” or any “drama.” The approach mirrors the 2024 campaign, ran by Wiles, which was noticeably more “buttoned-up” and “conventional” than the 2016 campaign that was at times plagued with leaks and arguments that wound up in the media. (RELATED: Trump Agrees To Pre-Transition Meetings With Officials, Signs Memorandum)

“I don’t welcome people who want to work solo or be a star,” Wiles told Axios. “My team and I will not tolerate backbiting, second-guessing inappropriately, or drama. These are counterproductive to the mission.”

“The West Wing staff is a mix of new and veterans — many are young, all are prepared to work punishing hours,” Wiles added in the interview. “To my core, I believe in teamwork. Anyone who cannot be counted on to be collaborative, and focused on our shared goals, isn’t working in the West Wing.”

The first woman ever to be named to the White House Chief of Staff role, Wiles’ appointment was widely praised as she has been largely credited for heading up the more disciplined and professional operation in the 2024 run. Upon defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump took the debate stage to credit his campaign manager for the victory.

“We call her the ice baby,” Trump laughed. “Susie likes to stay in the background. She’s not in the background.”

President Donald J. Trump Announces Susan Summerall Wiles as White House Chief of Staff pic.twitter.com/rzU3Zj6d0j

— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) November 7, 2024

Wiles told Axios that Trump is fully engaged in staffing his administration and is interviewing cabinet leadership throughout the transition process. The president-elect instructed Wiles to be “smart with hiring” and to remember what he told the American people he would carry out, she said in the interview.

“Set goals and then exceed them in every area, with every staff member,” she told Axios.

“I cannot stress teamwork and mutual support enough. … It’s not magic — set goals and timelines for me and the team and then work to exceed them. Simple, yes, but this worked quite nicely on the campaign,” Wiles added