Trump suggests former rival Doug Burgum could play role in potential administration

As former President Donald Trump continues to rack up important endorsements from prominent figures within the Republican Party, he appears to have chosen one such individual for a role in his next administration, should he win in November, as The Hill reports.

The person at issue is North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who mounted his own campaign for the GOP nomination but, upon departing the race, sent his support in the direction of the former president.

Burgum endorses Trump

Burgum, whose own presidential bid was always considered a long shot, withdrew his name from the running last month and formally endorsed Trump during a rally held one day prior to the Iowa caucuses, as the Washington Examiner noted.

“When I took office, President Obama was still president. Trying to work with his administration was a disaster. Then President Trump took office, and everything changed. States like Iowa, states like North Dakota, Heartland states, we were respected,” Burgum declared.

The governor went on, “We had a friend and a partner in the White House, who understood us and who wanted to see our state succeed versus being regulated out of business.”

“Important” role teased

In return for Burgum's vote of confidence, Trump appeared to have big things in store for the governor's future, perhaps including a significant role in a second administration.

“Doug Burgum from North Dakota, the governor and his beautiful wife, Kathryn, and he got out of the race. What people don't know is that he actually supported me on the other side, twice already,” Trump said of the truncated campaign. “Then he decided to do it. And he was outstanding, but the traction is never easy, right?”

Trump continued, “You need controversy for traction sometimes, and this guy is the most solid guy. There's no controversy whatsoever. And he's one of the best governors in our country, and I hope that I'm going to be able to call on him to be a piece of the administration, a very important piece of the administration.”

Though no specifics on the type of role Burgum could play were mentioned by Trump, the former president has indicated that he already knows the identity of his vice-presidential pick, and he did not rule out the notion that it could be someone who had run against him.

“Very flattering”

During an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday this week, Burgum expressed his appreciation for Trump's kind words, but remained noncommittal when asked if he would consider serving as the former president's running mate.

“Well, it's very flattering, the nice things that President Trump has said in the past and said that night, but you know, these are all hypotheticals, and right now I got the greatest job in the world, which is governor of North Dakota, and I'm very focused on my day job here,” said Burgum.

Though it remains unclear precisely what sort of role Trump might consider for Burgum if he does return to the White House, it is clear that the full-throated support offered by the North Dakota governor is appreciated and may well be rewarded in the months to come.