President Trump said Tuesday that people are beating down his door to become the next White House chief of staff, pushing back against news reports that he’s having trouble filling the high-pressure post.
“Fake News has it purposely wrong. Many, over ten, are vying for and wanting the White House Chief of Staff position,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Why wouldn’t someone want one of the truly great and meaningful jobs in Washington.”
The person who eventually gets the job will be Mr. Trump’s third chief of staff in less than two years. The president announced last week that retired Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly will leave the post at the end of the month.
Mr. Trump wanted vice presidential chief of staff Nick Ayers for the job. But Mr. Ayers took himself out of the running Sunday after he and the president couldn’t agree on how long he would likely serve.
Among the others under consideration are former Trump 2016 deputy campaign manager David Bossie, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. Mr. Bossie and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski are scheduled to have lunch with the president on Friday.
Presidential adviser Jared Kushner said the White House is operating smoothly.
“The president will make the right choice for chief of staff when he is ready,” Mr. Kushner told Fox News host Sean Hannity. “And, hopefully, he’ll choose someone he’s got great chemistry with, a great relationship with, who will help him navigate the next couple of years, with all the good opportunities that will emerge, to keep pushing forward.”
Despite Mr. Kelly’s tenuous relationship with the president, senior White House aide Kellyanne Conway defended the outgoing chief of staff.
“He is in his fifth decade of public service and this county owes him a debt of gratitude,” she said on Fox News.
• Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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