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From Geoff Bennett and Heidi Przybyla
WASHINGTON – The US Budget Director, Mick Mulvaney, woke up on Friday and went to the White House with the intention of attending a meeting on federal budget issues, according to a source close to him. Instead, at the end of the day, he would become – at least temporarily – the third chief of staff of President Donald Trump.
Trump, who had been repulsed by at least two replacements from outgoing Chief of Staff, General John Kelly. , quickly selected Mulvaney as interim chief after initially refusing the request of Vice President Nick Ayer's chief of staff to perform similar acting duties.
The president made the decision after questioning several members of his government, including at a Thursday night at the White House. holiday party, according to sources. All also approved Mulvaney, also a former Congressman.
Trump also wanted to end the scenario that nobody wanted to be his chief of staff, along with other people on his short list, including Mark Meadows' representative from North Carolina – publicly rejecting the potential job, said a source at NBC News. On Friday morning, White House officials enthusiastically announced that the former New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, was the favorite, but that Christie had publicly rejected it at noon.
It is Mulvaney who asked for an "acting" title, reflecting his desire to hold the position for a limited period, according to two sources.
Mulvaney, who understood that the president was in a bind and felt he did not have much choice, told Trump he preferred to serve longer than expected. six months, according to Mulvaney's close source. Another source confirms that Mulvaney has clearly indicated his intention to serve for a limited period, given his general reluctance to accept the position.
CAMO spokesperson Meghan Burris told NBC News that Mulvaney "loves and respects the president, and that he likes to work for him."
"Most importantly", added Burris, "Mulvaney's director believes in the president because he works every day to help millions of Americans defend our great country."
The White House In a tweet Friday, Trump stated that there were "many" candidates wishing to take up this position.
Mulvaney, former legislator of South Carolina, has good working relations with many of the staff of the 39 West Wing, as fo The chief economic advisor, Gary Cohn, remains close to presidential advisors Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. A White House staff member described a feeling of "relief" that Trump chose Mulvaney rather than other potential choices.
A source close to the president's thinking said that Trump wanted his next chief of staff to be more "open to the public" than General Kelly.
Mulvaney has already been a visible figure of cable news. Sources also said that Trump believed that Mulvaney's experience as a former congressman would help him manage the oversight demands expected of Democrats in the House.
Another source close to Mulvaney said that he was not interested in the president's defense on cable networks. and wants to "keep your head down".
Hallie Jackson has contributed.
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