Stephen Miller has circulated an internal memo outlining changes to the White House hierarchy, giving Cabinet secretaries greater control over their departments’ communications and marking a departure from the approach followed by former Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Fox News reportedThe memo was distributed within the Trump administration this week, shortly after Miller took over as White House chief of staff on Monday, November 9. It outlines administrative changes and personnel appointments, including a restructuring of the Cabinet secretary’s role.Under the new arrangement, the White House position of Cabinet Secretary will be renamed Director of Cabinet Relations. The position will focus on supporting Cabinet secretaries rather than directing their communications.“The White House position of Cabinet Secretary will be changed to the role of Director of Cabinet Relations, focused on providing support and reinforcement of President Trump’s tremendous Cabinet Secretaries,” the memo states.“Each cabinet leader serves as the best leader and communicator for their individual Departments, and this new position will ensure our Cabinet is resourced and bolstered by the White House to deliver swift, critical, and lasting wins for the American people,” it adds.A source familiar with the memo told Fox News Digital that the changes would make the Cabinet more effective in carrying out President Donald Trump‘s agenda.“This will streamline the Cabinet, making it a more effective instrument for the President, whereas previously it was too constrained,” the source said.
How does this differ from Susie Wiles’ approach?
The changes represent a shift from what administration insiders described as tight control over communications under Wiles, who served as Trump’s chief of staff during the first nearly two years of his second term.A source familiar with the administration’s day-to-day operations said Wiles’ team had issued extensive instructions on how officials should communicate, leaving little room for individual agencies to manage their own messaging.The source described Miller’s move as “unleashing the Cabinet to be the captains of their own ship.”“It’s more [of] a recognition that you can’t possibly effectively micromanage this wide of an organization and that sometimes it might be better to trust and invest in a support system that elevates the people who are closest to the issues,” the source said.A former Trump administration official was more critical of Wiles’ management style.“She wants complete authority,” the former official said.“The control doesn’t come from, ‘hey, you have to do this.’ The control comes from threat of duress. Like, ‘if you don’t do this, I’m going to destroy you in the media,'” the official added.The source also alleged that Wiles had warned Cabinet secretaries that unscripted comments to the media could make them responsible for Republican losses in the midterm elections.“It’s absolute control,” the former official said.
Other changes in the White House hierarchy
The memo also outlines changes to the administration’s internal reporting structure.The director of presidential scheduling and the Office of Presidential Scheduling will report directly to Chamberlain Harris, deputy director of Outer Oval operations.It also confirms that Caleb Orr, who previously served as assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, will become chief of staff for policy.The memo further states that the White House will follow a “clear and regular policy process” involving the deputy chief of staff for policy and the national security adviser.It says responsibilities and assignments will be clearly defined, with no overlapping policy portfolios.The changes come just days after Miller replaced Wiles as Trump’s chief of staff, marking an early restructuring of the White House’s internal operations under his leadership.
