Susie Wiles claims Trump seizes retribution opportunities when circumstances allow

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said that President Donald Trump may pursue “retribution” against his perceived enemies when the opportunity presents itself, according to a new, wide-ranging profile published on Tuesday, December 16, by Vanity Fair.

The remarks appeared in a two-part profile based on 11 interviews conducted over the course of a year, offering an uncommon glimpse into the thinking of one of the most influential figures inside the Trump White House.

Susie Wiles claims that Trump seizes an opportunity when it arises

Asked about the administration’s allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James, Wiles told Vanity Fair that the case “might” qualify as retribution, adding that Trump does not actively seek vengeance but will act when circumstances present themselves.

“I don’t think he wakes up thinking about retribution,” Wiles said, according to the magazine. “But when there’s an opportunity, he will go for it.”

Wiles also suggested that actions that appeared vindictive might stem from Trump’s belief that wrongdoing should carry consequences. “In some cases, it may look like retribution,” she said. “And there may be an element of that from time to time. Who would blame him? Not me.”

Susie Wiles talks about ‘loose agreement’ on score-settling

In a March interview included in the profile, Wiles said that she has, at times, cautioned Trump against turning his presidency into what critics have called a “retribution tour.”

“Yes, I do,” she said when asked whether she had raised the issue. “We have a loose agreement that the score settling will end before the first 90 days are over.”

By August, however, Wiles pushed back on the premise itself, telling the magazine she did not believe Trump was engaged in a retribution campaign.

Instead, she framed his actions as an effort to prevent others from experiencing what he believes was unfair treatment directed at him.

Trump's public pressure and political fallout

Before charges were brought against James and Comey, Trump publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute them along with Sen Adam Schiff, in a Truth Social post that he later suggested was intended to be private. 

When asked specifically about the case against James, Wiles reportedly said, “Well, that might be the one retribution,” adding that she did not challenge Trump on the matter.

“Not on her,” she said, laughing, according to Vanity Fair. “She had half a billion dollars of his money!”

Of the Comey prosecution, Wiles was even more blunt, saying, “People could think it does look vindictive,” she said. “I can’t tell you why you shouldn’t think that.”

Susie Wiles rebukes Vanity Fair

Responding to the profile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement praising Wiles’ leadership and loyalty.

“President Trump has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie,” Leavitt said, adding that Wiles has helped deliver “the most successful first 11 months in office of any President in American history.”

Wiles herself took to X to denounce the article, calling it a “disingenuously framed hit piece” that ignored key context and selectively quoted remarks to portray the administration as chaotic and negative.

“Much of what I, and others, said about the team and the president was left out of the story,” she wrote.