President-elect Trump Rules Out Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo for New Administration

President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not be part of his administration as he prepares to enter the White House in January 2025.

Trump’s statement on Truth Social referenced Haley’s criticism of him during her GOP primary run and Pompeo’s perceived lack of support as factors in his decision.

“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State 9 to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump posted, expressing appreciation for their past service but clarifying they would not be involved in his second term.

Since securing a decisive victory against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump and his transition team have been working at Mar-a-Lago to staff the incoming administration. They emphasise loyalty as a central criterion for appointments.

Haley, 52, dropped out of the GOP primary in March after trailing Trump in the polls. The former U.N. Ambassador had been a vocal critic of Trump during her campaign, asserting that she was the GOP’s best chance to beat President Joe Biden, who later ceded the Democratic nomination to Harris.

However, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed shortly before Election Day, Haley softened her stance, acknowledging Trump as the “better choice” over Harris. While Haley had previously declared her campaign “was never about a position,” she confirmed in August that she had no intention of joining Trump’s cabinet.

Pompeo, who served as both CIA director and secretary of state under Trump, was largely silent during the 2024 campaign, a decision criticised by some in the GOP.

He faced backlash from Trump supporters for supporting special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents.

On Friday, Republican strategist Roger Stone urged Trump to avoid reappointing Pompeo, claiming his track record leaned toward deep state agendas rather than Trump’s “America First” goals.

As Trump continues to shape his administration, he recently named Susie Wiles, co-chair of his 2024 campaign, as his incoming chief of staff.