When Donald Trump needed a new candidate for U.S. Attorney General, he quickly switched from Florida man to Florida woman.
And by selecting former Florida AG Pam Bondi to replace Matt Gaetz, he illustrated how one state is the backbone of his new administration.
His White House chief of staff, his secretary of state and his national security adviser are all from the Sunshine State.
Insiders joke that they’ve started “Making America Florida Again,” referring to T-shirts for sale at campaign events celebrating the state’s new status as a Republican stronghold.
Trump picks people who share his reform agenda, an insider said, but it wouldn’t hurt their chances if they lived close to his political headquarters at Mar-a-Lago.
“Of course proximity will be important, but ultimately he would always choose those who put America first,” he said.
The decisions may also reflect the influence of Susie Wiles, who will become Trump’s White House chief of staff and was the first staff announcement.
She was one of two figures to lead Trump’s 2024 campaign, having built a reputation over decades as a shrewd political operative in Florida.
Florida’s power in the Trump world was illustrated Thursday when Trump quickly selected former state AG Pam Bondi to replace Matt Gaetz, also of Florida, as his attorney general.
Donald Trump has selected longtime Republican strategist Susie Wiles of Florida as White House chief of staff, the first of several key appointees from the state
Trump himself is now a Florida man after changing his hometown from New York
She masterminded Trump’s 2016 campaign in the state, helped Ron DeSantis win his first term as governor and grew in influence as a partner at Ballards, a powerhouse consulting firm.
“I believe she is a very big part of the reason. Susan Wiles is a great reader of people,” said Republican operative Larry Casey of Florida, who has known Wiles since they worked together in Washington, DC, 40 years ago.
But he said it all started with Trump, who long wintered in Palm Beach and moved his home there during his first term.
“He has known these people for a long time, up close and personal,” he added.
“He’s been with him in small environments. He came over for dinner. He went to lunch. He’s had conversations with them.’
Trump’s national security apparatus will have a strong Florida flavor.
The ashes will lie between incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio, born to immigrant parents in Miami and now in his third term as one of the state’s senators, and Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret who grew up in Jacksonville and will later become Trump’s national security advisor.
Other appointees include Sergio Gor, who lives in Miami. Together with Don Jr. he founded Winning Team Publishing and spent a lot of time at Mar-a-Lago working on Trump’s books.
Trump’s ambassador to Israel will be Santa Rosa Beach resident (and former Arkansas Governor) Mike Huckabee.
Trump with Senator from Florida and incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Mike Gaetz, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, grew up in Jacksonville
The choices reflect not only Trump’s circle of associates in Florida, but also the state’s changing political character.
Trump has expanded Republican support from 49 percent in 2016 to just over 56 percent this year, and party registrations have overtaken Democratic votes by a million.
Under DeSantis, the state also became a testing ground for conservative ideas.
Whether it’s reversing pandemic lockdown rules, banning most abortions after six weeks, or the governor’s “war on woke,” the state has attracted Republicans from across the country eager to enjoy the conservative policies, the warm weather and the lack of state income taxes.
One of them was Todd Blanche. He led Trump’s legal team during his hush money trial in New York this year.
HE has bought a house in Palm Beach County and is now going to be his client’s deputy US attorney general.
“As the home of President Trump, and a state that leads the nation as a place where respect for our freedoms and common-sense policies are the proven model for success, it makes perfect sense that many Florida leaders are prepared to play a critical role to play. in restoring the greatness of the country,” said Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the transition.