Stephen Miller shuts the door on lobbyists at the White House: The new chief of staff requires prior approval for every meeting

Stephen Miller began making his mark as White House chief of staff with a move that directly targets K Street, the famous Washington street associated with lobbying firms. From now on, no White House staff member may meet with registered lobbyists to discuss public policy matters within the presidential complex without first obtaining authorization from the Office of the White House Counsel.

The new rule is contained in a memorandum signed by Alina Bulazel, director of the Office of the Chief of Staff and sent to all White House staff. The document was released by conservative journalist Benny Johnson and by POLITICO, which also reported on the reaction of a dozen Republican lobbyists to Miller's appointment.

The text frames the decision by citing the president's own example: "No President in history has fought more relentlessly, selflessly or courageously for the American People than President Trump," the memo—now widely circulated—reads. "Following his example, White House staff are expected to dedicate their time unwaveringly to the working people of the nation."

The measure does not completely cut off contact with the private sector. The Office of Public Liaison will remain the primary channel for engagement with external stakeholders, according to the document.

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The change marks a notable departure from Susie Wiles, the former chief of staff, who spent much of her career at lobbying firms such as Ballard Partners and Mercury Public Affairs before working for President Trump. During her tenure, Wiles maintained close ties with business leaders, donors, and lawmakers—a fact that those close to her attributed to the president's own style.

That connection has come under scrutiny in recent days. Calley Means, a former advisor to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accused Ballard Partners of exerting undue influence over the White House. The firm's founder, Brian Ballard, who is close to Trump, denied the allegations and claimed that his interactions with Wiles were limited. The former chief of staff's inner circle called the allegations defamatory. According to Politico, the firm is on track to generate more than $100 million in revenue this year—more than four times what it earned in 2020.

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On K Street, the news came as no surprise. Miller is known in Washington for his ideological stance, his loyalty to Trump, and his role in spearheading the mass deportation policy, and among lobbyists, he has a reputation for being hard to persuade.

"The thing with Stephen is, he's not someone that a lobbyist goes in and has to crack or try to win over," Hunter Morgen, a lobbyist at Ballard Partners who worked with Miller during Trump's first term, explained. "He doesn't operate based on relationships. He operates based on policy outcomes that will advance the president's agenda."

Another lobbyist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, agreed with that assessment. According to him, it is impossible to pressure Miller, not even by those who seem closest to him, although he considered him more reasonable than he is often portrayed.