House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows is out of contention to replace White House chief of staff John Kelly.
“Congressman Mark Meadows is a great friend to President Trump and is doing an incredible job in Congress. The president told him we need him in Congress,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Wednesday.
Meadows told NBC News Wednesday afternoon he had yet to be interviewed for the position, despite making several public statements expressing his interest, including a prime-time interview on Fox News Monday night.
“I know the president has a long list of tremendous candidates for his next Chief of Staff, and whomever it is will have my total support moving forward,” Meadows said in a statement.
“I’ve had the best job in the world, representing the people of western North Carolina and working alongside President Trump these last two years to give the forgotten men and women of America a voice in their government,” the North Carolina Republican wrote. “I’m fully committed to continuing in both of those roles.”
Statement from @RepMarkMeadows on the WH Chief of Staff report — “I know the President has a long list of tremendous candidates for his next Chief of Staff, and whomever it is will have my total support moving forward” pic.twitter.com/JJ0987V9xF
— Ben Williamson (@_WilliamsonBen) December 12, 2018
Meadows was floated as a possible successor for Kelly after Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, took himself out of consideration on Sunday.
Kelly is expected to leave the White House by the end of the year after about 18 months in the role.
