Trump Snubs Pompeo and Haley from Administration, CNN Panel Calls It ‘Quintessential Trump’

President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement over the weekend that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley would not be part of his upcoming administration sparked laughter and analysis from a CNN panel. Trump’s message, delivered via social media, was described by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson as “quintessential Trump,” as she chuckled at the unexpected public snub.

“I mean, it made it seem like Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley had asked for a position in the administration,” Carlson told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on AC360. “Maybe, probably not,” she added, underscoring the blunt style Trump is known for.

Carlson’s remarks came after Cooper noted that there had been talks of a potential olive branch extended to Haley during Trump’s campaign. “But she committed the ultimate sin, which was running against him in the primary,” Cooper said, referring to Haley’s brief 2024 presidential bid before endorsing Trump.

On Saturday, Trump made his position clear: “I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” he wrote. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country.” The statement left little room for interpretation and seemed to close the door on two of Trump’s former allies.

Carlson speculated that Haley’s endorsement of Trump was strategic. “Look, Nikki Haley is going to run for president again in 2028,” she said. “I believe that’s why she was forced to endorse Trump because she needs his MAGA base if she wants to have a future political career.”

However, CNN political analyst Ana Navarro pushed back on Carlson’s characterization, arguing that Haley’s support for Trump was a deliberate choice, not a forced move. “She was not forced to do anything,” Navarro said. “She’s a grown a– woman who chose to do this for her political ambitions.” Navarro went further, asserting that Haley “has lost every modicum of dignity.”

Navarro didn’t hold back, expressing her disappointment over Haley’s recent actions. “She begged him to let her campaign with him, and now he’s saying ‘Bye, Felicia.’ I mean, it truly is, I find it incredibly embarrassing,” Navarro said, lamenting the decline of a woman who was once seen as a rising star in the Republican Party.

The panel discussion then turned to Trump’s apparent priorities for his new administration. Navarro pointed out that the weekend announcement underscored Trump’s insistence on unwavering loyalty from his team. “He wants one-hundred percent loyalty from everybody he appoints and he wants MAGA people,” Navarro added, suggesting that Trump’s criteria for his administration leave little room for those who have shown any signs of disloyalty or political independence.

The panel’s reaction to Trump’s exclusion of Pompeo and Haley from his administration captured a broader sentiment among political observers. Trump’s public rejection of two high-profile Republicans served as a reminder of his unique approach to loyalty and the sharp edges of his political strategy. For now, Trump’s message appears to be clear: only those fully aligned with him and his vision will be welcomed into his inner circle.