A memorandum distributed within the Trump administration this week outlines a significant restructuring of the White House hierarchy. The document, issued by the office of the new chief of staff Stephen Miller, details how Cabinet secretaries will assume greater control over their respective departments' public messaging. This development marks a distinct departure from the administration-wide communications strategy that was in place during the first nearly two years of President Donald Trump's second term.
The memo was sent by Miller's office following his assumption of the chief of staff role on Monday. It is titled as a notice regarding administrative matters and personnel changes. According to a source familiar with the message, the shift aims to streamline the Cabinet, making it a more effective instrument for the President. The source noted that the previous structure was too constrained for the needs of the administration.
The document redefines the role of the White House position previously known as Cabinet Secretary. It will now be referred to as the Director of Cabinet Relations. The memo states that this new position will focus on providing support and reinforcement to President Trump's Cabinet Secretaries. It emphasizes that each cabinet leader serves as the primary communicator for their individual department. The goal is to ensure the Cabinet is resourced and bolstered by the White House to deliver swift and lasting wins for the American people.
Another source involved in day-to-day operations believes the memo signals a broader shift in communications policy. This change allows different agencies to manage their own messaging now that Miller has become chief of staff. The source described the previous regime under former chief of staff Susie Wiles as having a chokehold on nearly all administration communications, characterized by a large number of prescriptive directives from her team.
The source described the new approach as smart and clear, reflecting well on Miller and his team. They characterized the policy change as a move to unleash the Cabinet, allowing members to be the captains of their own ships. The rationale includes the recognition that it is difficult to effectively micromanage an organization of such width. The source argued that it is often better to trust and invest in a support system that elevates the people closest to the specific issues.
A former Trump administration official offered a more direct criticism of Wiles' previous management style. That source stated that Wiles sought complete authority and that control was often exercised through the threat of duress rather than simple instruction. They claimed Wiles made it clear she could control everything else in the administration, though not the President. The official accused Wiles of warning Cabinet secretaries that any off-script media statements would lead to midterm GOP election losses being blamed on them, a dynamic the source described as absolute control.
The memo also highlights hierarchical changes within the administration's scheduling operations. It states that the director of presidential scheduling and the Office of Presidential Scheduling will now report directly to Chamberlain Harris, the deputy director of outer oval operations. This change is part of a broader effort to clarify reporting lines within the White House staff.
The document confirms previous reports regarding a key personnel appointment. Caleb Orr, who formerly served as the assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, will become the chief of staff for policy. The memo outlines that the White House will run a clear and regular policy process through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and the National Security Advisor. It specifies that responsibilities and assignments will be clearly defined to avoid overlapping policy portfolios.
Former chief of staff Susie Wiles did not return a request for comment from Fox News Digital by the time of publication. The new structure aims to provide the administration with a more flexible and responsive framework for managing its extensive operations and public communications.
