In a surprising move, US President-elect Donald Trump has ruled out the return of two prominent figures from his previous administration: former Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation.” Trump added a note of appreciation for their past service, stating, “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our country.”
This decision comes amidst Trump’s ongoing efforts to assemble his cabinet for his 2025 administration, a process that has begun following his victory over US Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election. Notably, the exclusion of Haley and Pompeo aligns with Trump’s recent tendency to distance himself from Republicans who have supported US aid to Ukraine. Trump and his allies have advocated for scaling back American support for allies and limiting military involvement abroad.
Adding another layer of complexity to this situation, Haley and Pompeo, who were key members of Trump’s first administration, have recently become critical of his leadership. Haley, in particular, was Trump’s final opponent in the Republican presidential race. In the lead-up to the election, she criticized Trump’s campaign, arguing that it alienated women and minorities. She also expressed concerns about the tone of Trump’s rallies, citing racist and misogynistic remarks made by speakers. Haley stated, “This bromance and this masculinity stuff, it borders on edgy to the point that it’s going to make women uncomfortable.”
Despite her criticisms, Haley had offered her advice to Trump’s campaign, but he kept her at a distance. Their relationship, though marked by moments of collaboration during her time as Ambassador to the UN, has been characterized by both alignment and divergence.
The exclusion of Haley and Pompeo from Trump’s new administration signifies a shift in his approach to building his team. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the political landscape, particularly within the Republican Party, as the 2025 administration takes shape.
