Bannon and Kushner were frustrated to find that Priebus, whom they deemed unimposing, had his own plans for the administration. He was following Senate leader Mitch McConnell's advice, which suggested that President Trump would sign any bills presented to him, thereby creating an opportunity for Priebus to assert influence.

Priebus aimed to capitalize on the White House's inexperience in political and legislative matters, choosing to shift much of the policy-making process to Capitol Hill instead of directly engaging with Bannon and Kushner's vision for the administration.