Trump Announces Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo Won’t Join His New Administration: “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Just days after his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social to reveal a surprising personnel decision for his upcoming term: former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not be part of his administration. The announcement has sparked conversation and may ruffle some Republican feathers, as both Haley and Pompeo held prominent roles in Trump’s previous administration.

In his post, Trump praised both Haley and Pompeo for their past service but made it clear that he does not intend to invite them back into his new administration. “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,” he wrote. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country.”

Haley, who recently ran against Trump in the Republican primaries and secured a strong second-place finish, endorsed him after bowing out of the race. Many political observers view her as representing a faction of the GOP that remains cautious of Trump, especially as he re-enters the White House. Her history with Trump has been complex, marked by moments of support and divergence, leading to speculation about her future role within the party.

Pompeo, who served as Trump’s Secretary of State, was also seen as a potential candidate for a senior position given his alignment with Trump’s policies in the past. Trump’s decision to exclude Haley and Pompeo from his administration sends a signal about the direction he wants to take in his second term. As he builds his new team, he appears focused on forming an administration more aligned with his core supporters and the ideals of the MAGA movement, perhaps without figures who might be viewed as holding moderate or more traditionally conservative views.

Liberal political commentator, Brian Tyler Cohen responded to Trump’s post on X (formerly Twitter), pointedly remarking, “Hope it was worth it,” suggesting that Haley’s choice to endorse Trump after her primary run might now seem ironic given her exclusion from his administration. Cohen’s reaction captures the disappointment of those who speculated that figures like Haley and Pompeo could have moderated Trump’s approach or brought their considerable experience into his next term.

The announcement also illustrates a growing trend within the Republican Party. As Trump prepares for his second term, his selections for top positions will likely reflect his most loyal supporters and those most ideologically aligned with his vision for “making America great again.” Trump’s relationship with the GOP has sometimes been divisive, and his decision to pass over notable Republicans like Haley and Pompeo hints that he may be moving away from those who do not fully embody his MAGA platform.

Trump’s “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” tagline in his post reiterates his commitment to his core values, which include a strong America-first stance, an emphasis on national security, and an appeal to conservative voters. His message to those Republicans who may still be skeptical of him is clear: his administration will be shaped by those who fully support his vision without compromise.