Situation Report
Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor and host of the WarRoom, is sounding the alarm on the crucial task of staffing for a potential Trump administration. “Personnel is policy,” Bannon declares. He believes the right team will be essential for Trump’s success this time. He sees the initial White House staff announcements as critical—and expects them soon.
Resources for this article:
Press statement from President Donald J. Trump:
Bannon’s Experience
Bannon recalls his own experience with Trump in 2016. "When Reince [Priebus] and I were announced, it was right after the election,” he says. He expects a similar timetable now, with top roles named by this weekend, perhaps even Sunday. "They want to name the top ten shortly,” Bannon predicts. He stresses the need for a clear direction right from the start, setting up the administration for decisive action.
One of Bannon’s concerns is who may be influencing the personnel choices. He points to figures like Jeff Miller, a lobbyist closely tied to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Bannon doesn’t mince words on Miller’s role: "Jeff Miller is the swamp,” he says. Miller, a lobbyist powerhouse, was McCarthy’s central lobbyist, and Bannon holds him partly responsible for what he describes as the "horrible debt ceiling deal” that led to McCarthy’s historic removal as Speaker. “Miller’s all over Mar-a-Lago, telling corporate clients he’s running the deal,” Bannon says, highlighting his worry that corporate interests may again seep into Trump’s circle.
Bannon argues that Miller represents a “corporate lobbyist mentality” mindset, particularly on immigration reform. "Their clients want cheap labor, so they push for open borders,” he says. For Bannon, this mindset is at odds with the populist movement he champions, and it’s something he hopes Trump’s new team will avoid. He warns against "sleazy lobbyists” who are "the connective tissue between Wall Street and Silicon Valley.”
Amid these concerns, Bannon does see a promising start with appointing Susie Wiles as Trump’s Chief of Staff. Wiles, the first female in this role, has Bannon’s respect. He recalls her role in Trump’s 2016 Florida campaign, where she was crucial in securing the state for Trump. "Susie is steady Eddy,” Bannon says, praising her calm and even-handed approach. While some criticize Wiles for not being the most "dynamic individual,” Bannon sees her as a reliable leader capable of keeping the administration focused and grounded.
Bannon also notes the importance of Wiles as a stabilizing figure, particularly with the urgency and intensity that Trump’s administration will bring. "With the urgency of people around President Trump and others helping from the outside, you need a steady hand,” he says. Wiles’ background, handling challenging situations without fanfare, is something Bannon thinks will benefit Trump’s operation.
Looking forward, Bannon expects announcements on other high-impact roles in the coming days, like heads for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the National Security Council (NSC), and the National Economic Council (NEC). These offices, according to Bannon, are the "connective tissue” of government, managing everything from budget control to national defense. Bannon says, "OMB controls the actual government,” a post he hopes goes to someone like Russ Vought, who shares his commitment to fiscal responsibility. For the NSC, Bannon stresses the need for a strategic thinker capable of handling intense global affairs right from the Oval Office.
Bannon warns that poor staffing choices could compromise Trump’s policy vision and alienate Trump’s growing coalition. He believes there’s real momentum for Trump’s populist policies and warns against letting lobbyists and corporate interests derail the plan. "People want the administration to deliver on populist policies,” he insists, highlighting the growing support Trump’s agenda has among working-class Americans, including Black, Hispanic, and Asian voters.
Bannon’s remarks outline a cautious optimism, seeing the early personnel choices, especially Wiles, as signs of hope. However, he remains wary of potential influences that could compromise the administration’s commitment to the movement. His message is clear: staffing choices will determine Trump’s ability to execute the policies that brought him to office and fulfill the promises made to his supporters. "We need warriors, not lobbyists,” Bannon says, setting the tone for what he hopes will be a focused and determined team.
For more context, watch this Thursday WarRoom segment:
