Trump’s pick for new White House chief of staff says no
Shock decision by Nick Ayers to decline leaves crucial White House role unfilled

The hunt for a new White House Chief of Staff is set to continue, after Donald Trump, who first choice for a replacement for John Kelly declined to take on the role, citing family commitments.
36-year-old Nick Ayers had been widely tipped to replace Kelly, after relations between Kelly and Trump deteriorated to the point where they were “no longer on speaking terms”, with aides saying the relationship “cannot be repaired”, Sky News says.
Ayers, who is currently serving as the chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, took to social media to announce that he would be leaving the White House entirely at the end of the year.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
CNN says Ayers’ decision not to take on the role came because he “could not agree to terms” with Trump, who had asked Ayers for a two-year commitment to the role.
The Wall Street Journal says at least three people are now being considered for the job, including Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker and representative Mark Meadows from North Carolina.
Whoever takes on the role when Kelly leaves at the end of this month will be Trump’s third Chief of Staff in just two years.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Property turns a corner
The outlook for the housing market is starting to look up as rates fall and confidence returns, according to Strutt & Parker.
By Sponsored Content Published
-
What happens when a pope dies?
In The Spotlight Vatican protocol on a pontiff's death is steeped in tradition and ritual
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'If you keep people permanently unhappy, you cannot have a stable society'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Are we really getting a government shutdown this time?
Talking Points Democrats rebel against budget cuts by Trump, Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Deportation of Ohio's Haitians could spark economic turmoil
The Explainer Temporary protected status (TPS) is set to expire for 500,000 Haitians in August
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published