Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters Leaves White House as Stephen Miller Takes Over
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters is leaving the Trump administration as Stephen Miller takes control of the West Wing following Susie Wiles' departure.
Walters, a longtime Republican operative and close ally of Wiles, submitted his resignation Friday, according to multiple reports. It is the first major White House departure since President Donald Trump named Miller to replace Wiles as chief of staff.
Walters told CBS News he handed his resignation directly to Miller. Axios, which first reported the move, said the parting was amicable and that Walters will keep supporting Trump from outside the administration.
"The Honor of a Lifetime"
"Serving President Trump has been the honor of a lifetime and I will always be thankful to Susie Wiles for the opportunity," Walters said. "Stephen is building an incredible and capable team to implement the President's agenda and I look forward to being part of it from the outside."
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Miller confirmed the departure and praised Walters' work. "Richard has been an invaluable member of the White House and has helped deliver some of the Administration's biggest victories," Miller said.
"While he will be leaving us, Richard will continue to help from the outside as we continue to work with all of our strength to deliver for President Trump and his courageous fight to Save America," he added. No replacement was immediately announced.
Walters was seen as one of Wiles' closest political lieutenants, and the two had worked together for more than a decade. He previously served as chief of staff at the Republican National Committee, becoming the longest-serving person in that role.
He also worked on all three of Trump's presidential campaigns, served as executive director of the Trump-Vance inaugural committee after the 2024 election and joined the White House as deputy chief of staff in May 2026.
Miller Takes Charge
Trump announced Miller's promotion Friday. "I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026," Trump said.
"Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation," he continued. "I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!" A White House official described her exit as "very amicable." Wiles submitted her resignation Thursday night.
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Miller worked on Trump's 2016 campaign, served as a senior adviser in the first administration and returned as deputy chief of staff in 2025. He has played a central role in shaping Trump's immigration and border policies.
More Changes Coming?
Walters' exit comes as Miller prepares to install his own team after Republicans lost both the House and Senate on Tuesday, raising questions about personnel changes for the final two years of Trump's term.
Trump told CBS' "60 Minutes" that changes were under consideration. Asked whether he expected to fire members of his team, he said, "Yeah. You do a little bit. A little bit."
"I love my cabinet. I think they're good. But I'll be doing maybe a few changes. I don't want to mention who," Trump said. He separately expressed confidence in War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has faced calls for his removal from Democrats and some Republicans.