Trump rules out Pompeo, Haley from new White House team

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures after speaking during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6, 2024. Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON — US President-elect Donald Trump ruled out on Saturday re-appointing two senior figures from his first administration, ex-secretary of state Mike Pompeo and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley.

Writing on his Truth Social social network, Trump said he “will not be inviting” either figure to join his administration as speculation swirls about the identity of his new team.

Pompeo had outlined a hawkish plan for Ukraine in July involving more weapons transfers and tough action against Russia’s energy sector which analysts noted on Saturday was at odds with Trump’s campaign statements.

READ: Trump’s decisive victory in a deeply divided nation

Trump has repeatedly boasted that he could end the war in Ukraine in his first 24 hours in power and criticized American aid to Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

Haley ran against Trump in the Republican primary this year before endorsing him, but she offered at times blunt advice such as when she urged him to “quit whining” about Democrat candidate Kamala Harris in August.

“I very much appreciated working with them previously and would like to thank them for their service to our country,” Trump wrote on Saturday.

READ: Trump win spurs thoughts of leaving

Trump has made one cabinet appointment so far, naming his campaign manager Susie Wiles — who he calls “ice baby” due to her supposedly unflappable temperament — as his White House chief of staff.

She is the first woman to be named to the crucial White House gatekeeper role.