U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday that former Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley and former secretary of state Mike Pompeo will not be asked to join his administration.
The decision may signal a shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine under the new administration, casting further doubt on whether American support for Kyiv will continue under Trump.
Both Haley and Pompeo had been strong advocates of U.S. support for Kyiv against Russian aggression.
“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 posted on social media.
“I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our country.”
Pompeo, who also served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency under Trump and was reported by some media outlets as a possible pick for defense secretary, outlined a hawkish plan for Ukraine in July, proposing increased arms transfers and tough action against Russia’s energy sector.
Experts said that Pompeo’s proposals ran contrary to Trump’s presidential campaign rhetoric, in which he claimed he could end the nearly three-year war “in one day” by urging Ukraine and Russia to cut a deal.
Similarly, Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, argued that helping Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression aligns with U.S. national interests, saying: “This is a war about freedom, and it’s one we have to win."
Following Trump’s announcement, Haley wrote on social media platform X: “I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations.
“I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years.”
Both Haley and Pompeo had been strong advocates of U.S. support for Kyiv against Russian aggression.
“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 posted on social media.
“I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our country.”
Pompeo, who also served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency under Trump and was reported by some media outlets as a possible pick for defense secretary, outlined a hawkish plan for Ukraine in July, proposing increased arms transfers and tough action against Russia’s energy sector.
Experts said that Pompeo’s proposals ran contrary to Trump’s presidential campaign rhetoric, in which he claimed he could end the nearly three-year war “in one day” by urging Ukraine and Russia to cut a deal.
Similarly, Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, argued that helping Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression aligns with U.S. national interests, saying: “This is a war about freedom, and it’s one we have to win."
Following Trump’s announcement, Haley wrote on social media platform X: “I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations.
“I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years.”
I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations. I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years. pic.twitter.com/6PhWN6xn1B
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 10, 2024
Who could make it to Trump’s cabinet?
JD Vance, Trump’s vice-presidential pick, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the direction of the White House.
Vance, who is the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon seven decades ago, has consistently argued that the only way to end war in Ukraine is to negotiate with Kremlin, refusing to characterize Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “enemy.”
Trump also has to fill in other positions in his cabinet and is now meeting with potential candidates to serve in his administration before his January 20 inauguration as president.
On Thursday, Trump made his first major personnel announcement, selecting Susie Wiles, his chief campaign strategist and a seasoned political operative in Florida, as the next White House chief of staff.
When he first entered the White House eight years ago, Trump relied heavily on the Republican establishment, turning to his vice president, Mike Pence, a former governor and member of Congress with deep roots in the Republican Party, to run his transition operation.
However, the Financial Times (FT) wrote on Friday that this time, Trump’s approach is likely to be different, as the Republican is turning to a close-knit circle of wealthy allies, loyalists, and influential business figures, most notably, billionaire Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
Musk, who also owns X, had endorsed Trump during his campaign and is now in contention to head a commission which will focus on rolling back regulations and reducing government spending.
Trump’s family is expected to remain a powerful influence in his next administration, however, this time, it is Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, who is likely to take the center stage, unlike daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, who both served in previous administration, but have ruled out returning to the White House.
In August, Trump added Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard — both former Democrats who have since become Trump supporters — to his transition team.
It remains unclear what specific roles they will take on in the new administration.
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