The front-runner to become White House chief of staff, Nick Ayers, will not be taking over from outgoing chief of staff John Kelly after being unable to agree on terms with President Trump.
Ayers, 36, and Trump couldn’t agree on a time frame for the job, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday afternoon, after the president sought a two-year commitment and Ayers, a father of three, requested a shorter period.
Currently chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, Ayers was seen as the top contender, having worked closely with Trump in his current role. He’s expected to also leave Pence’s staff to work for a super PAC ahead of the 2020 campaign.
Trump is expected to select a new chief of staff by the end of the month.
“Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House,” Ayers tweeted Sunday. “I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause.”
Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be leaving his position, despite earlier reports that Trump had assured him of his job security through 2020. He is considering Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and at least three other candidates, Axios reported.
Kelly, a four-star Marine Corps general, was widely credited with damping down – though not curtailing – internal West Wing feuding during Trump’s first year in office, but his relations with the president grew strained during his 16 months in office.
