Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) has resigned from Congress as he prepares to begin working at the White House as President Trump’s next chief of staff, a role which he is expected to commence on March 31.
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Meadows said that “serving the people of North Carolina’s 11th congressional district for these last seven years has been the honor of my life. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity.” He signed off the letter with “thank you and God bless you in the days ahead.”
Meadows, who will replace his former colleague and Freedom Caucus member, Mick Mulvaney, wrote that his resignation was effective as of 5 p.m. on March 30. Mulvaney has served as Trump’s acting chief of staff for a little more than a year. He was the president’s third chief of staff following Reince Priebus and John Kelly, who previously served in the role.
Trump named Meadows as the next White House Chief of Staff in a tweet earlier this month, where he also announced that he would appoint Mulvaney as U.S. special envoy for Northern Ireland.
“I am pleased to announce that Congressman Mark Meadows will become White House Chief of Staff. I have long known and worked with Mark, and the relationship is a very good one,” Trump wrote. “I want to thank Acting Chief Mick Mulvaney for having served the Administration so well. He will become the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Thank you!” Trump wrote.
Meadows served nearly four terms as a North Carolina representative. According to his official website, he “has been a known champion for fiscal responsibility, accountable government, pro-growth economic policies, pro-family and pro-life initiatives, and a strong military.”
His new role comes amid perhaps the biggest crisis of Trump’s presidency as the global CCP virus pandemic continues to sweep across the world.
A woman wearing a mask walks the Brooklyn Bridge in the midst of the CCP virus outbreak in New York City on March 20, 2020. (Victor J. Blue/Getty Images)
Meadows himself was forced to self-quarantine for 14 days earlier this month following concerns he may have contracted the virus after coming in contact with someone carrying it while attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February. However, his test results later came back negative.
In an effort to contain the virus, Trump announced this week that he will be extending his administration’s “15 days to slow the spread” campaign for an additional month, meaning Americans will need to continue practicing social distancing, while the elderly and high-risk individuals must stay at home.
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