
Mulvaney and Meadows in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 6. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President Trump announced on Friday that he will replace acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.)
Why it matters via Axios' Alayna Treene: Meadows recently announced his plans to retire from Congress, and hinted at a job in the Trump administration. Trump trusts Meadows, and has appreciated his fierce and public loyalty over the past years.
Yes, but: The role under Trump has been minimized, with the president preferring to operate as his own chief of staff.
Details: Mulvaney will become the U.S. special envoy for Northern Ireland, Trump tweeted on Friday.
Flashback: Trump previously floated the idea of installing Meadows in the role in 2018, as a replacement for former White House chief of staff John Kelly.
What he's saying:
"It's an honor to be selected by President Trump to serve alongside him and his team. This President and his administration have a long list of incredible victories they've delivered to the country during this first term, with the best yet to come—and I look forward to helping build on that success and staying in the fight for the forgotten men and women of America.
In particular, I want to recognize my friend Mick Mulvaney. Mick is smart, principled, and as tough a fighter you'll find in Washington, D.C. He did a great job leading the President's team through a tremendous period of accomplishment over the last year plus.— Rep. Mark Meadows wrote in a Friday evening statement
Go deeper: Rep. Mark Meadows to retire in 2020