Miller Requires Counsel Approval for Lobbyist Meetings

White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has directed staff to obtain approval from the Office of White House Counsel before meeting registered lobbyists about government policy on the White House complex, according to an internal memo. The requirement applies to covered meetings at the complex; the memo does not bar all contact with lobbyists or outside stakeholders.

The memo says the Office of Public Liaison will remain the primary contact for engagement with external stakeholders and directs staff with industry-outreach questions to that office. It states that White House staff are expected to focus on serving working people, invoking President Donald Trump’s approach. The reports describe the memo’s contents but do not document how Counsel will handle requests or how the rule is being applied.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the administration is focused on advancing Trump’s agenda rather than that of lobbyists. The memo’s stated approval process places Counsel between staff and registered lobbyists seeking policy meetings on the complex, while leaving the Public Liaison office responsible for broader external engagement.

Lobbyists described Miller as difficult...