With the stock market in the red and coronavirus cases mounting, Rep. Mark Meadows is transitioning into his new job at a turbulent time.
President Donald Trump named Meadows, R-11th District, as his new Chief of Staff Friday night, breaking the news publicly in a presidential tweet.
“I have long known and worked with Mark, and the relationship is a very good one,” Trump tweeted.
Meadows announced in December he would not run for re-election, hinting in a statement that his work with the president and his administration is “only beginning.” He had previously been rumored as a potential Chief of Staff pick.
So, what lies ahead for Meadows in the new post? How will he do the job?
The congressman enters the new role after years on Capitol Hill, where he often served as one of the president's staunchest defenders.
Mark Rom, who teaches public policy at Georgetown University, said it is likely he will continue to serve as a cheerleader for the president, especially heading into the election year.
"I don't expect .... Mark Meadows to challenge Trump, but to coordinate with him," Rom said. "They both appear to be on the same page and will serve Trump's political interest, rather than trying to do traditional Chief of Staff roles."
While the Chief of Staff position has evolved over time to meet the needs of different presidents, the job traditionally has included serving as a sort of gate-keeper, controlling who and what gets access to the Oval Office.
“There are a million people with a million ideas and a million interests who all want to make it to the president,” Rom said. “The Chief of Staff traditionally is the person who says, ‘No, you can’t come in. The president’s time is his most valuable asset.’”
In the Trump White House, the first two chiefs - Reince Priebus and John Kelly - attempted to adopt that traditional model, aiming to constrain the president’s instincts with limited success.
“Trump doesn’t want anyone to guide him, to instruct him, or to put brakes on him,” Rom said. “President Trump wants to be the president, the Chief of Staff, and the cabinet at the same time.”
Meadows becomes the fourth person to fill the job this term, replacing acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, who adopted a mantra of letting Trump be Trump.