President Donald Trump announced late on Friday that Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) would become the new White House Chief of Staff.
“I am pleased to announce that Congressman Mark Meadows will become White House Chief of Staff. I have long known and worked with Mark, and the relationship is a very good one,” Trump tweeted. “I want to thank Acting Chief Mick Mulvaney for having served the Administration so well. He will become the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Thank you!”
….I want to thank Acting Chief Mick Mulvaney for having served the Administration so well. He will become the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 7, 2020
Meadows had announced in December that he was not seeking re-election, saying, “I strongly support term limits and even though I didn’t run on a term limit pledge, my support of term limit legislation would suggest that four terms should be enough. The seat doesn’t belong to any one person but to the people of western North Carolina.”
In his statement, Meadows also hinted that he was going to work in the Trump administration, saying, “I’m going to be working closer with the president, not less so. Without getting into any specifics, I’ve had ongoing conversations with the president about helping with his team in a closer environment. And I felt like it would be disingenuous to file and then resign at some point in the future and leave my district searching for a nominee.”
New York Times reporter Maggie Habermen reported that Trump “offered Meadows the job yesterday, per several people briefed. Mulvaney, who is said to have left for a trip to Nevada this week amid coronavirus, learned of it today. Some staffers are concerned about the change; others are relieved to see someone new in the role.”
Meadows is an aggressive defender of the president and many top people close to the administration strongly approved of the move.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) responded to the news by writing on Twitter: “Mark Meadows is smart, loyal, and a true patriot. He’s a good man and my best friend! Couldn’t have picked anyone better for the job.”
MSNBC reporter Garrett Haake reported: “It sounds counterintuitive, but Meadows has the best relationship with congressional Democrats of any of Trump’s Chiefs of Staff. By far.”
It sounds counterintuitive, but Meadows has the best relationship with congressional Democrats of any of Trump's Chiefs of Staff. By far.
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) March 7, 2020
Politico reported that the president already consults with Meadows on a wide range of issues and has been in contact with him multiple times a day for some time now.
“It’s a most remarkable turn for the 60-year old Meadows, who in the eyes of his detractors has few qualifications for the post besides a talent for disruption, obstruction and obfuscation,” Politico added. “Yet for the Republicans he’s fighting for — the House Freedom Caucus, of which he was a founder, and Trump — there’s no better advocate or strategist to have on your side.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy responded to the news by writing on Twitter, “. @MarkMeadows has been a strong advocate for the president and the America First agenda from the start. Congrats, Mark!”
.@MarkMeadows has been a strong advocate for the president and the America First agenda from the start. Congrats, Mark!
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 7, 2020
Republican House Whip Steve Scalise (LA) tweeted: “. @RepMarkMeadows has been a principled, conservative fighter all his life. He loves this country and I’m honored to call Mark a friend. He’ll be an invaluable asset to the Make America Great Again agenda. Great pick, @realDonaldTrump!”
.@RepMarkMeadows has been a principled, conservative fighter all his life. He loves this country and I’m honored to call Mark a friend.
He’ll be an invaluable asset to the Make America Great Again agenda. Great pick, @realDonaldTrump! https://t.co/pvpoS0ZHeK
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) March 7, 2020
This report has been updated to include additional information.