Susie Wiles, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, has outlined her vision for a smooth-running Trump second term, pledging a West Wing that will work with discipline and teamwork to deliver quickly on the president-elect’s promises to voters.
“My team and I will not tolerate backbiting, second-guessing inappropriately, or drama. These are counterproductive to the mission,” said Wiles, who has been credited with efficient management of Trump’s presidential campaign and has earned the nickname “Ice Maiden” for her unflappable demeanor.
Wiles herself avoids the limelight, declining an opportunity to speak before Trump’s acceptance speech on election night. She told Axios that Trump learned the hard way, from the setbacks of his first term, that having a team that is both competent and loyal is key to success this time around. She said he has personally interviewed every single one of his Cabinet picks and even many sub-Cabinet hires, and that Trump will leverage the understanding gleaned from an obstacle-ridden first term to avoid pitfalls this time around.
“I have every hope that the 47th administration will not have the same number of attempts to put sand in the gears,” she said, expressing confidence that members of the second Trump administration will work hard and be committed to the principles that Trump ran on.
Wiles said that Trump and his team see the time between inauguration day and the 2026 midterm elections as a critical period to prove to voters they can deliver on the president-elect’s promises. The administration’s agenda will prioritize energy production, regulatory rollbacks, and cutting government waste through the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Other key goals include sealing the southern border, deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and lowering taxes.
A veteran Florida political operative, Wiles has had a long and varied career that includes lobbying, political campaign management, and a stint as special assistant to former President Ronald Reagan. Her background also includes working as the deputy director of operations for the vice presidential campaign of then-candidate Dan Quayle, the running mate of Republican George H.W. Bush, who was elected president in 1988. Wiles also worked for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
