President Trump is considering Freedom Caucus chairman Rep. Mark Meadows (R-S.C.) as his next chief of staff, according to Axios.
Three sources have told the news outlet that the president has asked his confidants what they think of Meadows to replace outgoing Chief of Staff John Kelly, who will be leaving his position at the end of the year.
It was originally reported that Trump was considering Vice President Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers for the job however, Ayers announced yesterday that he was leaving the White House.
Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. 🇺🇸 #Georgia
— Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018
A source told Axios that Ayers couldn’t commit to the job, saying “Nick couldn’t give POTUS a two-year commitment, so he’s going to help him on the outside instead.”
According to Bloomberg, the president is considering three others for the job: Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and budget director Mick Mulvaney.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters “John Kelly will be leaving, I don’t know if I can say retiring. But he’s a great guy,” and added that he would choose a replacement “over the next day or two.”
