(NewsNation) — GOP U.S. Sen. John Thune said Republicans will help President-elect Donald Trump “hit the ground running” in his second administration. 

Thune, who represents South Dakota, told NewsNation’s Leland Vittert Wednesday that he’s looking forward to Trump’s return to the White House. 

“There’s been a ton of work done already to get ready for him, and we’re going to hit the ground running. We’re going to help him get his team in place quickly so that they can get to work right away,” he said. 

Thune said Trump’s first election came as a surprise, so GOP leaders weren’t ready for the transition, but he said this time, “We all know where we’re headed.” 

Trump faced off against the Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris in a tight and highly contentious race.

Harris called Trump Wednesday to congratulate him and urge him to be a president for all Americans.

With Trump’s projected win, the Republicans will regain control of the White House four years after they lost to President Joe Biden in 2020.

Thune was one of several Republican lawmakers who have celebrated and congratulated Trump. 

Thune said he is confident in the direction Trump will take the nation on immigration, national security and his Cabinet choices. 

“I expect that they’re going to send out some very qualified individuals to man each of those key posts that are going to be so essential to him accomplishing his objectives,” he said, speaking on the southern border. 

“At the end of the day, what the American people said in this election is we don’t like this policy agenda, we don’t like open borders, we don’t like the direction of the country.