The Dominant Group in Trump's Circle at the Moment
Republicans are rapidly positioning themselves and promoting their agendas as Trump's presidential transition gets underway.
TroibNews 
Jockeying for power is a constant in politics, but in Trump's realm, it often simmers just below the surface. Even ahead of the election, some prominent Republicans seemed to be positioning themselves for a potential role in Donald Trump’s next administration.
“Ric Grenell raised some eyebrows when he appeared alongside Trump at the Zelenskyy meeting in September,” noted Meridith McGraw, PMG’s national correspondent covering Trump since 2019. Currently, she mentioned that the combative former Trump administration official is being discussed as a potential pick for leading the State Department, a prospect that may alarm some Republican senators.
McGraw shared insights into the possible composition of Trump’s next Cabinet during a Playbook Deep Dive podcast talk with Playbook editor Mike DeBonis, who reported on House Republicans throughout Trump’s first term as they tried to translate his unconventional campaign promises into policy.
The GOP is poised to hold a governing trifecta with control over the House, Senate, and White House. This time, however, despite having a narrower majority in the House, the party is more ideologically aligned with its leader, potentially facilitating governance.
“The Paul Ryan party is gone,” DeBonis remarked. “It’s Donald Trump’s party.”
This discussion has been edited for brevity and clarity by Deep Dive Producer Kara Tabor and Senior Producer Alex Keeney. You can listen to the full Playbook Deep Dive podcast interview here:
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
"How do you think day-to-day operations in Washington will differ with Trump’s return?"
Mike DeBonis addressed the transition from a divided government to a unified control, noting, "We haven't been in a trifecta environment for two years. Things can move on Capitol Hill without much inter-party negotiation now. Previously, we dealt with smaller negotiations, but now we're back to big issues."
McGraw highlighted Susie Wiles, Trump’s newly appointed chief of staff, as a significant figure to watch. “She’s someone who has a lot of respect from Trump, his family, his inner circle, and allies on the Hill,” she stated, recalling how Wiles stepped in to organize Trump’s political operations when he was more isolated in early 2021.
DeBonis recalled a poignant moment from Trump’s victory speech, “Susie Wiles is the Ice Maiden. She’s the Ice Maiden,” citing her reluctance to take center stage. He provided his impressions of her, explaining, "I've met her once... she enjoys staying out of the spotlight and prefers being in the middle of things."
“There’s a significant relationship between her and Trump where she can communicate uncomfortable truths,” McGraw added. "She has his respect in a way that, frankly, very few people do."
As for other influential figures in Trump’s circle, McGraw mentioned former officials, such as John Ratcliffe and Robert Lighthizer, who are aiding in the transition process by gathering names and policy ideas.
On the topic of congressional leadership, DeBonis noted the unprecedented nature of the upcoming leadership election, particularly following Mitch McConnell’s planned retirement. He pointed out the front-runners: John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott, while emphasizing the election's internal party dynamics.
Thune also referenced Trump's endorsement strategy during a recent interview, suggesting, "I don't think it's in his interest to make an endorsement,” hinting at the complexities of Trump's influence on the outcome.
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson is likely seeking to maintain his position. DeBonis reported, "Trump called out Mike Johnson in his victory speech, affirming his performance," suggesting minimal opposition to Johnson's leadership continuity.
McGraw discussed potential Senate appointments, noting names like Marco Rubio and Bill Hagerty are surfacing for various roles, while DeBonis expressed skepticism regarding House members being tapped for positions due to the slim majority.
The conversation then shifted to the names circulating for critical positions, particularly at the State Department, with Grenell’s candidacy stirring concern among some Republicans. McGraw explained, “He is known for being a pretty prickly guy,” questioning the appropriateness of such a candidate for chief diplomat.
For Treasury, numerous names are mentioned, including Robert Lighthizer and John Paulson, leading to uncertainty about who might secure roles versus those merely promoting themselves.
As for future administration dynamics, McGraw highlighted the America First Policy Institute, noting its role as a pro-Trump think tank aspiring to create the foundation for another conservative Republican administration.
DeBonis and McGraw discussed the implications of Trump's victory and the shifting power dynamics within the party, with increasing influence from the populist faction. DeBonis remarked on Musk’s emerging role in the Trump orbit, emphasizing the peculiar attention Trump gives him.
Looking ahead, McGraw and DeBonis speculated on what Republicans would prioritize early in their term, with topics like tariffs and border policy rising to the forefront. DeBonis cautioned that Republicans have memories of past struggles and must tread carefully regarding their legislative agenda, especially with a potentially slim House majority.
As they concluded, McGraw noted the ongoing political maneuvering within Washington, including discussions about where Trump’s inner circle might convene, mentioning popular Republican spots but hinting at a potential new hub arising from changes in the political landscape. As always, the dynamics remain fluid, setting the stage for an intriguing shift in governance.
You can listen to the full discussion in the Playbook Deep Dive podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
“Ric Grenell raised some eyebrows when he appeared alongside Trump at the Zelenskyy meeting in September,” noted Meridith McGraw, PMG’s national correspondent covering Trump since 2019. Currently, she mentioned that the combative former Trump administration official is being discussed as a potential pick for leading the State Department, a prospect that may alarm some Republican senators.
McGraw shared insights into the possible composition of Trump’s next Cabinet during a Playbook Deep Dive podcast talk with Playbook editor Mike DeBonis, who reported on House Republicans throughout Trump’s first term as they tried to translate his unconventional campaign promises into policy.
The GOP is poised to hold a governing trifecta with control over the House, Senate, and White House. This time, however, despite having a narrower majority in the House, the party is more ideologically aligned with its leader, potentially facilitating governance.
“The Paul Ryan party is gone,” DeBonis remarked. “It’s Donald Trump’s party.”
This discussion has been edited for brevity and clarity by Deep Dive Producer Kara Tabor and Senior Producer Alex Keeney. You can listen to the full Playbook Deep Dive podcast interview here:
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
"How do you think day-to-day operations in Washington will differ with Trump’s return?"
Mike DeBonis addressed the transition from a divided government to a unified control, noting, "We haven't been in a trifecta environment for two years. Things can move on Capitol Hill without much inter-party negotiation now. Previously, we dealt with smaller negotiations, but now we're back to big issues."
McGraw highlighted Susie Wiles, Trump’s newly appointed chief of staff, as a significant figure to watch. “She’s someone who has a lot of respect from Trump, his family, his inner circle, and allies on the Hill,” she stated, recalling how Wiles stepped in to organize Trump’s political operations when he was more isolated in early 2021.
DeBonis recalled a poignant moment from Trump’s victory speech, “Susie Wiles is the Ice Maiden. She’s the Ice Maiden,” citing her reluctance to take center stage. He provided his impressions of her, explaining, "I've met her once... she enjoys staying out of the spotlight and prefers being in the middle of things."
“There’s a significant relationship between her and Trump where she can communicate uncomfortable truths,” McGraw added. "She has his respect in a way that, frankly, very few people do."
As for other influential figures in Trump’s circle, McGraw mentioned former officials, such as John Ratcliffe and Robert Lighthizer, who are aiding in the transition process by gathering names and policy ideas.
On the topic of congressional leadership, DeBonis noted the unprecedented nature of the upcoming leadership election, particularly following Mitch McConnell’s planned retirement. He pointed out the front-runners: John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott, while emphasizing the election's internal party dynamics.
Thune also referenced Trump's endorsement strategy during a recent interview, suggesting, "I don't think it's in his interest to make an endorsement,” hinting at the complexities of Trump's influence on the outcome.
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson is likely seeking to maintain his position. DeBonis reported, "Trump called out Mike Johnson in his victory speech, affirming his performance," suggesting minimal opposition to Johnson's leadership continuity.
McGraw discussed potential Senate appointments, noting names like Marco Rubio and Bill Hagerty are surfacing for various roles, while DeBonis expressed skepticism regarding House members being tapped for positions due to the slim majority.
The conversation then shifted to the names circulating for critical positions, particularly at the State Department, with Grenell’s candidacy stirring concern among some Republicans. McGraw explained, “He is known for being a pretty prickly guy,” questioning the appropriateness of such a candidate for chief diplomat.
For Treasury, numerous names are mentioned, including Robert Lighthizer and John Paulson, leading to uncertainty about who might secure roles versus those merely promoting themselves.
As for future administration dynamics, McGraw highlighted the America First Policy Institute, noting its role as a pro-Trump think tank aspiring to create the foundation for another conservative Republican administration.
DeBonis and McGraw discussed the implications of Trump's victory and the shifting power dynamics within the party, with increasing influence from the populist faction. DeBonis remarked on Musk’s emerging role in the Trump orbit, emphasizing the peculiar attention Trump gives him.
Looking ahead, McGraw and DeBonis speculated on what Republicans would prioritize early in their term, with topics like tariffs and border policy rising to the forefront. DeBonis cautioned that Republicans have memories of past struggles and must tread carefully regarding their legislative agenda, especially with a potentially slim House majority.
As they concluded, McGraw noted the ongoing political maneuvering within Washington, including discussions about where Trump’s inner circle might convene, mentioning popular Republican spots but hinting at a potential new hub arising from changes in the political landscape. As always, the dynamics remain fluid, setting the stage for an intriguing shift in governance.
You can listen to the full discussion in the Playbook Deep Dive podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
