Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a strong supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, won’t serve in the forthcoming presidential administration.
Trump and Giuliani announced the news in a press release Friday. “Rudy Giuliani is an extraordinarily talented and patriotic American. I will always be appreciative of his 24/7 dedication to our campaign after I won the primaries and for his extremely wise counsel. He is and continues to be a close personal friend, and as appropriate, I will call upon him for advice and can see an important place for him in the administration at a later date,” Trump said.
Giuliani at one point was reportedly the front-runner to serve as Trump’s secretary of state. He will now remain in the private sector, while serving as vice chairman as Trump’s transition team.
Donald Trump meets with Rudy Giuliani at Trump National (Getty Images)
“I joined the campaign because I love my country and because having known Donald Trump as a friend for 28 years and observing what he has been able to accomplish, I had no doubt he would be a great President. This is not about me; it is about what is best for the country and the new administration,” Giuliani said. “Before I joined the campaign I was very involved and fulfilled by my work with my law firm and consulting firm, and I will continue that work with even more enthusiasm. From the vantage point of the private sector, I look forward to helping the President-elect in any way he deems necessary and appropriate.”
ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, former ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher are now seen as the frontrunners to become secretary of state.