Walters exits White House as Miller begins staff overhaul

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters is leaving his post in the Trump administration.

Walters served in the role for approximately six months before his exit. He was appointed in May 2026. His departure marks the first major staff change following President Donald Trump's announcement that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff.

Miller confirmed the transition in a statement to Fox News. He described Walters as an invaluable member of the White House team. Miller noted that Walters helped deliver major victories for the administration. The incoming chief of staff said Walters would continue to assist the White House from an outside capacity. "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," Miller said.

Walters previously served as executive director of the inaugural committee for Trump and Vice President JD Vance. He is a fellow at the Institute of Politics and Public Service at Georgetown University. A longtime ally of outgoing chief of staff Susie Wiles, Walters stepped down as Wiles formally resigned her position on Thursday night. A White House official told Fox News Digital that the transition between Wiles and Miller was very amicable.

Miller is set to formally take over as chief of staff on Monday. He plans to install his own leadership team immediately. This personnel shakeup follows the midterm elections, in which Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate. Trump named Miller as his incoming chief of staff on Friday, calling him one of his most trusted advisors.

The leadership changes also affected Miller's family. Katie Miller announced on Sunday that she would stop recording new episodes of The Katie Miller Podcast. She stated that the decision was made to prioritize her four children as her husband's new role shifts the family's priorities. Katie Miller wrote on X that she would cheer President Trump on from outside the administration. The show will release two final episodes that were recorded before her decision.

The podcast features interviews with political figures, athletes, and other public personalities. Katie Miller said nothing is more important than raising her children. She added that the time commitment required for the show was too great given her new family responsibilities.