New President Trump rewards Stephen Bannon and Reince Priebus with top White House jobs
PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump has released a statement confirming loyal supporters Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon will be given high profile roles when he takes over the US presidency next year.
Donald Trump has confirmed top jobs for Stephen Bannon (top left) and Reince Priebus (bottom left)
Priebus will become the White House chief of staff after spending months convincing Republican leaders to back Trump for the presidential candidacy.
And Bannon has been given the role of “chief strategist and senior counsellor” after leading Trump’s successful campaign towards the end of the trial.
Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, and campaign CEO Stephen Bannon
In the statement the President-elect confirmed that the two men would work as “equal partners”, stating: “Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory.
“Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.”
Mr Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, has good relationships with a number of Republicans expected to be given high profile positions in Trump’s administration, including vice president-elect Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory
Trump’s decision to make Priebus his Chief of Staff is likely to reassure congressional GOP leaders as it subtly suggests he is keen to work closely with the Republican establishment.
In addition to this, Priebus’ experience as the longest-serving RNC Chairman in the Republican party’s history will be useful to Trump as he embarks on the first political role of his career.
Following news of his new role, Priebus said: “It is truly an honour to join President-elect Trump in the White House as his Chief of Staff.
Donald Trump and Reince Priebus during the winning election campaign
“I am very grateful to the President-elect for this opportunity to serve him and this nation as we work to create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace Obamacare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism.”
Bannon, chairman of Breitbart News, stands on the far right of the Republican party and was brought in to lead the final few weeks of Trump’s election campaign.
Like Priebus, the former Goldman Sachs investment banker has never served in elected office.