Trump announces Haley, Pompeo will not join second administration

Trump is considering candidates to serve in his administration before his Jan. 20 inauguration as president.

 NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley brief the media during the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018 in New York City.  (photo credit: STEPHANIE KEITH/ GETTY IMAGES)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley brief the media during the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018 in New York City.
(photo credit: STEPHANIE KEITH/ GETTY IMAGES)

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that former Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not be asked to join his administration.

"I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our country," Trump posted on social media.

Trump has been considering candidates to serve in his administration before his January 20 presidential inauguration.

In response to Trump's post, Haley wrote on X that she was proud to have worked with 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," the post concluded.

 Former Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley in Re'im, southern Israel, May 27, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
Former Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley in Re'im, southern Israel, May 27, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)

Who are Haley and Popeo?

Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, endorsed Trump for president despite having criticized him harshly when she ran against him in the party primaries.

Pompeo, who also served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency under Trump, has been mentioned in some media reports as a possible defense secretary and had been also seen a potential Republican presidential candidate, before he announced in April 2023 he would not run.

Separately, Trump said the 2025 presidential inauguration will be co-chaired by real estate investor and campaign donor Steve Witkoff and former Senator Kelly Loeffler.