Trump chief of staff praises Biden counterpart for transition work

Susie Wiles, President-elect Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, praised President Biden's chief of staff Jeff Zients for his help during the presidential transition.

Zients “has been very helpful. He has made great suggestions, helped make sure we stay on time with required functions, helped us navigate the labyrinth that is the Executive Office of the President, and been very professional,” Wiles said in an interview with Axios published Monday.

She added that Zients introduced her to what she called the “former chief of staff club” and said he hosted a dinner for her with former chiefs at his “beautiful home.”

Wiles, who was Trump’s campaign co-chair and is a veteran political consultant, joined Trump when he visited the White House in November. She and Zients were the only other attendees in a meeting between Trump and Biden.

In the interview with Axios, Wiles also said there won’t be any “backbiting” or “drama” tolerated in the next administration. She will become the first female chief of staff after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20.

Meanwhile, Trump on Monday accused Biden of making the presidential transition difficult, citing recent executive orders on climate and other official acts Biden has taken in his final weeks as president.

“Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult [as] possible, from Lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting Hoaxes,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Biden announced earlier Monday he would block new drilling off the entire East Coast, as well as California, Oregon and Washington state, in a move just two weeks before Trump is sworn in. Trump has promised to promote domestic energy production and pushed back on Biden's move.