WASHINGTON _ Rep. Mark Meadows, a fierce defender of President Donald Trump, will not be the next White House chief of staff, the White House announced Wednesday.
Meadows, R-N.C., had been considered a candidate to replace outgoing chief John Kelly, who is leaving at the end of the year. Meadows won his fourth term in Congress in November.
"I've had the best job in the world, representing my constituents of western North Carolina and working alongside President Trump these last two years to give the forgotten men and women of America a voice in their government," Meadows said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. "I'm fully committed to continuing in both of those roles. I know the President has a long list of tremendous candidates for his next Chief of Staff, and whomever it is will have my total support moving forward."
Earlier this week, Meadows said it "would be an incredible honor" to hold the position.
