A Republican who held one of the most powerful jobs in the Trump administration is now a lowly Navy ensign

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

• Reince Preibus, President Donald Trump’s first chief of staff, is officially in the Navy.
• Vice President Mike Pence on Monday swore Priebus in and he’s been commissioned as an ensign. 
• Priebus, who’s also the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, will reportedly work as a human resources officer.
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President Donald Trump’s former White House chief of staff, Reince Preibus, has joined the Navy. 

Preibus, 47, who was also previously the chairman of the Republican National Committee, on Monday was commissioned as an ensign — the lowest officer rank in the Navy. 

The former White House chief of staff and longtime Republican insider will work in the Navy as a human resources officer, according to The Hill. The Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from INSIDER. 

He was sworn-in after a months-long application process that included a recommendation from former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. 

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In an application statement submitted to the Navy, which was obtained by The Washington Post, Priebus wrote he felt called to serve following the death of a Navy SEAL during an operation in Yemen early on in Trump’s tenure. 

At that moment, the gravity of every action we take in the West Wing rushed down upon my shoulders," Priebus wrote. "Everything suddenly became extremely real and raw. As some time passed, a few other senior aides joined me in the Cabinet Room and we discussed the consequences, harsh realities and weight of what we do every day."

 

Vice President Mike Pence swore Priebus in at Monday’s ceremony, which was also attended by another former employee of the Trump administration, Sean Spicer. 

Spicer, who was Trump’s first White House press secretary, is a Navy reserve officer.

Republican lawmakers from Wisconsin, Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Bryan Steil, were also in attendance. 

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See Also:

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• The Trump administration is reportedly rejecting requests from US embassies to fly the rainbow flag on the flagpole for LGBTQ Pride Month

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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (John Haltiwanger)