Politics

Trump Rules Out Mark Meadows For Chief Of Staff

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) listens to U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz testifying to a joint hearing with the House Judiciary and the House Oversight and Government Reform titled,
Saagar Enjeti White House Correspondent
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President Donald Trump has ruled out North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows in his search to replace outgoing White House chief of staff John Kelly, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 04: U.S. President Donald Trump (L), stands with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) and Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC), after Republicans passed legislation aimed at repealing and replacing ObamaCare, during an event in the Rose Garden at the White House, on May 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. The House bill would still need to be passed by the Sebate before being signed into law. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump (L), stands with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) and Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC), after Republicans passed legislation aimed at repealing and replacing ObamaCare, during an event in the Rose Garden at the White House, on May 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. The House bill would still need to be passed by the Senate before being signed into law. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

“Congressman Mark Meadows is a great friend to president Trump and is doing an incredible job in Congress. The president told him we need him in Congress so he can continue the great work he is doing there,” Sanders said in a statement to multiple news organizations. (Related: HERE’S WHO’S IN THE MIX TO REPLACE JOHN KELLY) 

Meadows later released a statement of his own confirming the news, saying:

I’ve had the best job in the world, representing the people of western [North Carolina] and working alongside Pres. Trump these last two years to give the forgotten men and women of America a voice in their government. I’m fully committed to continuing in both of those roles. I know the president has a long list of tremendous candidates for his next Chief of Staff, and whomever it is will have my total support moving forward.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) talks with reporters in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill October 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) talks with reporters in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill October 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Meadows was originally seen as a top contender for the chief of staff role with Trump, having developed a strong working relationship with Meadows in his position as the House Freedom Caucus chairman.

Meadows has also served as a forceful critic of special counsel Robert Mueller and has called for continued inquiry into the past FBI probe of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump announced Kelly’s departure Saturday after intense media speculation, indicating at the time that he would be making the succession announcement in the coming days. Sources familiar with the situation originally expected that Nick Ayers, the vice presidential chief of staff, would assume the position, but he has since bowed out from consideration.