Haley was critical of Trump during the initial phase of his campaign.
Indian American governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley will meet president-elect Donald Trump on Thursday as reports emerge of Trump considering her to the high-profile Secretary of State post.
The transition team confirmed that Haley will be meeting Trump, this comes just a day after the spokesperson of the transition team, Sean Spicer told reports over a conference call that the Republican Governor of South Carolina could be part of the Trump administration.
He also confirmed that the 44-year old will meet Trump on Thursday as part of the president-elect’s meeting with possible cabinet members of his government. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Gen (retd) Jack Keane, Admiral Mike Rogers and Ken Blackwell are also in the list of people who will be meeting Trump on Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, a close aid of Trump from South Carolina was heard saying that she will be part of the Trump cabinet or even might be given the post of Secretary of State.
South Carolina Lt Governor Henry McMaster was quoted by The Post and Courier saying “It would be like how Mr. Trump is bringing fresh eyes to running our government,”.
McMaster is a close aid of Trump who has received praises from the president-elect several times.
Interestingly, Haley was one of the late supports of Trump and was critical about the candidacy of Trump during the early stages of the campaign. She had endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio during the primaries.
At her Republican response to the State of the Union Address by US President Barack Obama in January, Haley was critical about Trump.
It was during the tail end of the election that Haley came out to support Trump.
As of now, the transition team of Trump has not revealed any specific names of the members of his Cabinet team but the meeting that will unfold today could be decisive in making critical decisions.
Trump had earlier Tweeted that he is the only person who has the knowledge about the final list.
McMaster speaking to the Trump supporters immediately after the emphatic Victory of Donald Trump said that the first women governor of the State, who is also the first Indian-American woman governor, is being considered for various Cabinet position, and could even be the next Secretary of State of the United Sates.
The office of the South Carolina governor has not commented about her elevation to a cabinet member or to about the meeting scheduled with Trump on Thursday.
Even as the news about the possibility of Haley becoming the next Secretary of State is making rounds, political analysts are doubtful of such a move.
“Secretary of State is going to be a bit of a stretch for Haley’s area of expertise. Haley has yet to be vetted about foreign policy, trade and protectionism,” said College of Charleston political scientist Kendra Stewart.
Earlier, the name of Bobby Jindal, another Indian American former Governor was rumored to have found a place in the shortlist of people holding the cabinet position in Trump administration.
Recap of some of the earlier rhetoric of Trump and Nikki Haley
“During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. “We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country,” Haley said, never mentioning Trump by name.
Haley: “That is not who we are as Republicans. And we are seeing a division that is dangerous.”
Haley: “We have someone running for president who instead of bringing [people] back together like we did in South Carolina, he’s telling his supporters to punch a guy in the face! He’s telling them if they don’t do the right thing to carry him out on a stretcher. He’s telling them to say, do it again. He’s not denouncing the KKK when this is exactly the same group that protested on my statehouse grounds. We can’t have Donald Trump as president! We can’t.”
Haley: “As a member of a military family, and the governor of a proud military state that has been recognized as the most patriotic, my heart and my unending thanks go out to the Khan family for their enormous sacrifice for our country,” Haley said in a statement. “As far as I’m concerned, they have the standing to say whatever they want in the political process and should not face criticism for it.”
Trump: The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!
Trump: “But she’s weak on illegal immigration, and she certainly has no trouble asking me for campaign contributions, ‘cause over the years she’s asked me for a hell of a lot of money in campaign contributions. So, you know, it’s sort of interesting to hear,” he said on “Fox and Friends.” “Perhaps, if I weren’t running she’d be in my office asking for money. But now that I’m running, she wants to take a weak side on immigration. I feel very strongly about illegal immigration. She doesn’t, and I think the people in her great state, I love her state, I’m there a lot, and by the way I have a massive lead in South Carolina. We have a massive lead. They’re incredible people, and they feel like I do. Believe me. Because they don’t like what’s happening in our country.”