Staff Reports
Nikki Haley apparently thinks she’s already got her hands full — handing out endorsements and steering clear of Trump’s Cabinet, that is. The former U.N. ambassador, who proved her loyalty to Donald Trump during crucial campaign moments, has taken a decidedly weird stance about serving in the administration that countless conservatives would jump at the chance to be part of. It’s almost like she’s afraid of rubbing shoulders with some of the best and brightest in the MAGA movement.
During a recent episode of her Sirius XM radio show, Haley recounted her conversation with Steve Witkoff, a key player in Trump’s transition team. Instead of seizing the chance to secure her own spot at the decision-making table, Haley threw cold water on any suggestions about joining the Cabinet. It seems she’s more concerned with leaving the past behind, instead of stepping into a role where she could actually make a difference. Perhaps she’s hoping the Trump administration won’t need her, because who wouldn’t want to wade through political warfare instead of taking the reins themselves?
Nikki Haley told Trump team she didn’t want Cabinet post https://t.co/6xdZJniVHL via @dcexaminer
— 🇺🇸 The Briefing Room 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@Briefing__Room) November 14, 2024
Haley’s past reluctance to support Trump is noteworthy. While many candidates sang Trump’s praises from the rooftops, Haley hesitated at first, leading many to wonder if she’d throw her support behind the front-runner. Ultimately, she did come around and even managed to deliver a “strong endorsement” at the Republican National Convention, putting her in the ‘trustworthy ally’ category for many conservatives. Still, it raises eyebrows that someone so cautious about taking that leap into the Cabinet would even entertain the notion of passing along advice on future picks.
This brings into question Haley’s overall strategy as a Republican. For someone who made headlines during her tenure as U.N. ambassador, her steadfast refusal to accept a position in the administration feels a bit disingenuous. If she’s truly committed to the American people and the Republican Party, one would assume she’d want to take a more concrete role. But no, she insists there’s “nothing I want” when it comes to serving under Trump. Perhaps she’s got her eyes set on a bigger cushy role that has nothing to do with the day-to-day grind of governance.
Adding a dash of intrigue, Trump announced via Truth Social that neither Haley nor Mike Pompeo would be rejoining him in the Cabinet. While some conservatives might see this as a blow to Haley’s credibility, others might consider it a blessing in disguise for both parties. The future of the Trump administration remains uncertain, with 14 positions still to fill and speculation about whether moderates or staunch MAGA supporters will fill the ranks. Whoever ends up in those roles will undoubtedly have a tough job at hand, potentially marking a clear divide within the party headed into the next election cycle.
