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Trump's Chief of Staff Orders Social Media Ban for 24 Cabinet Nominees Ahead of Senate Hearings

Dec 30, 2024, 10:56 PM

President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, has issued a directive instructing all 24 Cabinet nominees to refrain from posting on social media without prior approval from the incoming White House counsel, David Warrington. The memo, sent on December 29, comes ahead of Senate confirmation hearings set to begin in January. Wiles, nicknamed the "Ice Maiden," emphasized that no member of the incoming administration or transition team is authorized to speak on behalf of the United States or the President-elect. The directive aims to ensure a unified and disciplined message as the administration prepares for the confirmation process. The memo is not a response to recent debates over H-1B visas but serves as a reminder of previously communicated guidance. Nominees such as Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who are expected to face intense scrutiny, have adhered to the directive by maintaining silence on social media. The GOP-controlled Senate will play a critical role, with a narrow majority requiring near-total Republican solidarity to confirm the nominees.