Vice President-elect Mike Pence will serve as head of Donald Trump’s transition to power, replacing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, according to three sources with knowledge of the plans.
Christie, who was tapped as head of Trump’s transition efforts last May, will remain involved, most likely serving as a co-chair of the official transition run by Pence. Pence’s team has reached out to individuals involved in past presidential transitions for advice on process and staffing. The announcement of the changes could come as early as Friday afternoon.
The leaders of the transition team will include many of the people who served Trump’s campaign as top surrogates: Senator Jeff Sessions, Lt. Gen Michael Flynn, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, in addition to Ivanka, Eric and Donald Trump, Jr. Jared Kushner, Ivanka’s husband, will also play a leading role. The transition team “co-chairs” will consult with an executive committee, comprised of Trump advisers, relatives, and some Members of Congress.
Christie’s team spent the last six months conducting assessments of Cabinet agencies, policy differences and executive branch personnel. The new, Pence-led team will build on that work and begin almost immediately making recommendations to Trump on personnel.
Christie has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks after two top aides involved in stopping traffic on the George Washington Bridge in 2013, in order to punish a political foe, were found guilty of charges related to the closure of lanes on the bridge.
