Giuliani won’t serve in Trump administration

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a longtime Donald Trump ally, will not be serving in the president-elect’s administration.

Giuliani has removed himself from consideration for any position in the new administration, the Trump transition team announced Friday. He was rumored to be in the mix to be secretary of State. 

“This is not about me; it is about what is best for the country and the new administration,” Giuliani said in a statement. “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.”

CNN first reported that Trump told the former New York City mayor that he had been removed from consideration for the secretary of State job, for which he had been actively and publicly lobbying. The report said ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson is now leading the pack of candidates.

Trump praised Giuliani in a statement for his devotion to the campaign and 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.

It’s unclear what prompted Trump to drop Giuliani, who was a devoted surrogate during the presidential campaign but has since been dogged by questions over his consulting work for foreign governments.

Reince Priebus, Trump’s chief of staff, said in a statement included in the transition team’s announcement that Giuliani “was vetted by our team for any possible conflicts and passed with flying colors.”Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), whose position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gives him influence over the State confirmation process, opposed Giuliani’s potential nomination last month.

Along with Tillerson, Trump is also said to be considering former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, retired Adm. James Stavridis, 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former Ford CEO Alan Mulally for secretary of State.

– Updated at 4:42 p.m.