Stephen Miller's memo frees Trump Cabinet from 'absolute control' under Susie Wiles' reign
WASHINGTON, DC: A memo outlining the White House hierarchy under the new Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, made the rounds inside the Trump administration this week. Fox News Digital got a look at it and reported that the memo hands cabinet secretaries more authority over how their departments communicate. Miller’s office sent out the memo shortly after he stepped into the role on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles. The memo focused on administrative adjustments and changes in personnel.
This move marks a clear departure from the communications setup Wiles managed throughout most of the first two years of President Trump’s second term. Fox News Digital tried to reach Wiles for comment, but she didn’t respond before their story went live.
What does the memo say?
The memo shifts the White House’s Cabinet Secretary job to a new title: Director of Cabinet Relations. This isn’t just a name change; the role now focuses on supporting cabinet secretaries, not bossing them around. The memo spells it out: each cabinet leader should be the top expert and spokesperson for their own department.
The director's job is to make sure cabinet secretaries get the backing and resources they need from the White House to deliver real results for Americans.
Someone who’s seen the memo explained that this move should make the Cabinet more effective for the president. “This will streamline the Cabinet, making it a more effective instrument for the President, whereas previously it was too constrained,” the source said.
Sources describe the Wiles era
A second person who knows how things run behind the scenes said Susie Wiles kept a very tight grip on almost all of the administration’s messaging, with her team handing down plenty of strict instructions. This person described the recent shift as, in their words, “unleashing the cabinet to be the captains of their own ship.” According to them, it’s clear you just can’t micromanage something as big and complex as this administration and expect it to work.
But a former Trump official was harsher, saying Wiles wanted total control and managed by turning up the pressure. That official accused her of telling cabinet secretaries they’d get the blame if any unscripted comments to the media hurt Republicans in the midterms.
These claims all come from anonymous sources, and Wiles hasn’t addressed any of it publicly. Last week, Republicans ended up losing both the House and Senate.
The memo outlines a few structural changes at the White House. Now, the director of presidential scheduling and the Office of Presidential Scheduling answer directly to Chamberlain Harris, who serves as deputy director of Outer Oval operations. The memo also makes it official: Caleb Orr, previously assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, will step in as chief of staff for policy.
When it comes to policy, the memo insists the White House will keep things organized, running decisions through the deputy chief of staff for policy and the national security adviser. Each person gets clear responsibilities, with no more overlapping policy portfolios.
This round of changes follows Miller taking over for Wiles just days ago. Trump’s also zeroing in on a new press secretary. According to Fox, the administration is bracing for a different atmosphere in the briefing room, working to adapt now that Democrats control Congress.
