White House Deputy Richard Walters to Leave as Miller Takes Over, Axios Reports

The latest

November 8, 2026, at 7 a.m. Central time.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters is leaving the administration as Stephen Miller prepares to succeed Susie Wiles as President Donald Trump's chief of staff, Axios reports.

Walters offered his resignation Friday and his departure was amicable, Axios said, citing a person familiar with the matter. Walters and Miller also provided statements to the outlet describing how he would continue to support the administration from outside the White House.

A change in the West Wing

Walters was a close political aide to Wiles, according to Axios. The outlet reported that he joined the White House in May after a career in Republican politics that included serving as Republican National Committee chief of staff and executive director of Trump's 2025 inaugural committee.

The White House announced Miller's appointment on Friday. Trump said Miller would begin the job Monday, November 9, according to an earlier Axios report.

What remains unclear

Axios's account is the available source for the resignation and the statements from Walters and Miller. It did not specify Walters's final day or identify his replacement. The White House announcement confirming Miller's appointment does not itself address Walters's departure.

The change follows Republican losses in the midterm elections, though the reason for Walters's departure should not be assumed beyond what he and the outlet's source have said.

Key dates

November 6: Trump announced that Miller would replace Wiles; Axios says Walters offered his resignation that day. November 9: Miller is scheduled to begin the chief of staff job, according to Axios. Dates are U.S. local time.

Sources and visual credits

Axios: Walters departure and statements · White House: Miller appointment · Axios: Wiles and Miller.

Hero and thumbnail: conceptual editorial illustration, not a photograph. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.