Administration

Fox’s Kilmeade suggests David Bossie, Matthew Whitaker for chief of staff

Stefani Reynolds

“Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade on Monday morning suggested President Trump’s former deputy campaign manager David Bossie and acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker should be possible contenders for White House chief of staff.

Kilmeade suggested the two men during a discussion about who could succeed John Kelly in the position when he leaves by the end of this year.

{mosads}”Dave Bossie, I think would be perfect,” Kilmeade said of Bossie, who is a Fox News contributor.

“The president really respects him and I think he certainly understands how to handle investigations,” Kilmeade continued. “He was on the offensive side.”

Bossie was hired in 1997 by a Republican lawmaker to investigate possible campaign finance abuses by then-President Clinton. 

Bossie was suspended from the network for two weeks over the summer after he told a black Democratic strategist, “You’re out of your cotton-picking mind” on-air.

Kilmeade also mentioned Whitaker, whom Trump appointed and tasked with overseeing the special counsel’s Russia investigation last month, saying he thought the president needed a chief of staff that “understands the law.”

“From what I hear about Matt Whitaker, the president really likes him, he’s definitely aggressive, understands politics, understands the law,” Kilmeade said. “Sadly, this president needs somebody that understands the law.”

Administration officials on Sunday confirmed that Trump’s reported favorite to replace Kelly, Vice President Pence’s chief of staff Nick Ayers, would not assume the post. Other candidates are currently being floated, including Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the current chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. 

Kilmeade cast doubt on whether Meadows would be an effective chief of staff.

“Do you need somebody that understands the moderates and the Democrats?” he asked. “You can’t do things with just the Freedom Caucus alone.” 

Trump on Sunday night tweeted that he will announce his new chief of staff “soon.”

“I am in the process of interviewing some really great people for the position of White House Chief of Staff,” Trump tweeted. “Fake News has been saying with certainty it was Nick Ayers, a spectacular person who will always be with our #MAGA agenda.”

“I will be making a decision soon!” the president added. 

The president announced on Saturday that Kelly would leave his post as chief of staff by the end of the year, following months of reports out of the White House that Kelly was eyeing the exit.
 
Tags chief of staff Donald Trump Fox News John Kelly Mark Meadows Matt Whitaker White House

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