President Trump has narrowed his list of candidates to replace John Kelly as White House chief of staff down to five, he said Thursday.
“We are interviewing people now for chief of staff,” Trump told reporters at the White House before a meeting with incoming governors.
The president described the candidates as “terrific people” who are “mostly well known.”
Kelly’s departure from the White House has been rumored for months, and on Saturday, Trump announced the retired Marine Corps general would be leaving his post in the coming weeks.
Nick Ayers, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, was widely considered the top candidate to replace Kelly. But Ayers said Sunday he would be departing the White House at the end of the year, leaving the president without a clear front-runner for the position.
Trump has significantly cut the list of candidates for chief of staff, as he said Tuesday there were 10 to 12 contenders.
Among those said to be under consideration are former deputy Trump campaign manager David Bossie, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney was considered a candidate, but he is not interested in the position.
Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., was also on the short list to replace Kelly, but White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Wednesday that Trump “told him we need him in Congress.”
