President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will be his White House chief of staff, entrusting a top position to a political operative who helped the Republican win the election.

According to Reuters, the appointment is the first of what is expected to be a flurry of staffing announcements as Trump girds for a return to the White House on Jan 20.

As gatekeeper to the president, the chief of staff typically wields great influence. The person manages White House staff, organises the president’s time and schedule, and maintains contact with other government departments and lawmakers.

The low-key Wiles, 67, will be the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” Trump said in a statement. “I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Trump ran through four chiefs of staff — an unusually high number — during his 2017-2021 term as they struggled to rein in the famously undisciplined president.

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