Politico | What does it take to become Donald Trump’s chief of staff? Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka’s approval
- The president’s daughter and son-in-law have huge influence over the selection process, which is bad news for some hopefuls
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Gabby Orr on politico.com on December 12, 2018.
US President Donald Trump will weigh several criteria as he searches for his next chief of staff, including loyalty, political skills and management experience. But there’s one thing any potential hire must do: win the approval of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.
Trump’s son-in-law and daughter, who are also White House advisers, want a political ally in the chief of staff job, and they are using their unrivalled influence to ensure they get one, according to seven former and current White House officials.
Those sources described a search process steered by the president – “He’s just calling around to friends,” as one Republican close to the White House put it – but carefully regulated by his family as Trump works to replace his outgoing chief of staff, John Kelly.
Their influence could dim the chances of some candidates for the post, White House aides and allies say, including one of Trump’s favourites – Republican congressman Mark Meadows, who is not close with the thirty-something couple.
They are also opposed to the prospect of former Trump deputy campaign manager David Bossie taking on the role.
It’s also an obstacle for former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who put Kushner’s father behind bars as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey.