New Chief of Staff Stephen Miller Moves to Restrict Lobbyist Access at the White House

Stephen Miller, the newly installed White House chief of staff, is moving quickly to tighten oversight of how Trump administration officials interact with special interest groups, according to an internal memo sent to all White House employees on Thursday.

The memo, distributed by the White House Office of Administration, instructs staff that they "must obtain prior approval from the Counsel's Office for meetings on the White House complex with registered lobbyists on matters related to administration policy." It was circulated just days after Miller replaced Susie Wiles in the chief of staff role.

The directive stops short of banning lobbyist meetings altogether. Instead, it creates a clearance requirement for any policy-related meeting with registered lobbyists that takes place on White House grounds. The memo also stressed that the Office of Public Liaison will remain the primary channel for outside parties seeking contact with the administration.

The shift follows recent allegations about the influence of lobbyists and wealthy individuals on the administration during Wiles's tenure, allegations that some of those involved have denied. The new rules signal a change in how the White House's new leadership intends to manage the access that special interest groups have to decision-makers.

Miller's elevation to chief of staff marks a significant turn in a career defined by his role as one of President Trump's most forceful policy advocates. In a speech at Mar-a-Lago after his appointment was announced, Miller offered a sweeping declaration of loyalty to the president.

"If it were not for President Trump, the United States would not exist today. This man saved America," he said. "He saved our military from collapse, our economy from destruction, and our border from ruin."

Turning to address Trump directly, Miller added: "It is the greatest honor of my life to be your chief of staff. I pledge to you, Mr. President, my absolute loyalty, my unwavering commitment, and my complete dedication to your success and the success of this country."

The new position presents Miller with challenges unlike those he has faced before. For years, he was known as the figure who pushed Trump to follow through on his promises, at times clashing with other branches and institutions of government along the way.

As chief of staff, he will now be responsible for managing the White House itself: mediating among cabinet members and senior officials, navigating relations with a Democratic-controlled Congress, and preserving the priorities of a president not known for organizational discipline. The lobbyist access memo is an early indication that Miller intends to bring tighter internal control to the West Wing.