Stephen Miller Restructures White House Hierarchy and Communications

White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller issued an internal memo this week restructuring the administration's hierarchy and communications policy. Miller, who assumed the role on November 9, is shifting control of departmental messaging from the White House to individual Cabinet secretaries, granting them greater autonomy over their own agency messaging.

This policy marks a departure from the management style of former Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who maintained centralized control over messaging. The new guidelines rename the position of Cabinet Secretary to Director of Cabinet Relations, shifting the role's focus toward supporting and reinforcing agency leaders rather than directing their communications.

Additional personnel and structural changes include the appointment of Caleb Orr, a former Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, as Chief of Staff for Policy. The Office of Presidential Scheduling now reports to Chamberlain Harris, the Deputy Director of Outer Oval Operations. To eliminate overlapping policy portfolios, the administration is routing the policy process through the National Security Advisor and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.