Susie Wiles, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming White House chief of staff, praised her outgoing counterpart with the transition, saying he's been "very helpful."
Wiles' kind words for Jeff Zients, chief of staff to President Joe Biden, came in an interview with Axios published Monday.
With Trump's inauguration fast approaching on Jan. 20, Wiles said Zients "has been very helpful."
"He has made great suggestions, helped make sure we stay on time with required functions, helped us navigate the labyrinth that is the executive office of the president, and been very professional," Wiles said of Zients. "He introduced me to the 'former chief of staff club' and even hosted a dinner [for Wiles and the former chiefs] at his beautiful home."
Trump, meanwhile, called out Biden for making the transition "really difficult." Trump made the comments both in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt and in a Truth Social post, both on Monday. Trump's remarks came in the aftermath of Biden issuing an offshore drilling ban to preempt Trump's agenda on energy.
"Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as as [sic] possible, from Lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting Hoaxes," he said in the post.
Zients took over as Biden's chief of staff on Feb. 8, 2023, replacing Ron Klain. Wiles joined Trump at a meeting at the White House with Biden one week after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election. Zients also attended the meeting.
Wiles will become the first female White House chief of staff. Trump had four in his first presidency, beginning with Reince Priebus.