On the inside
Who you know...
Susie Wiles
Chief of staff and queen of Trump world
Why she matters
Trump trusts her completely and, importantly, she has widespread respect among the various MAGA-world factions. She ran by far the most professional of his three campaigns for the White House. Wiles tries to control the chaos around Trump, but never tries to control him — a point that has preserved her space in his orbit.
What she wants
Wiles has been empowered as gatekeeper and wants to execute on that in an environment that will present many more challenges than the campaign. She eschews the spotlight but judiciously wields the sword. She also wants to survive, a goal that eluded her predecessors.
Stephen Miller
Deputy chief of staff for policy and architect of Trump’s immigration policies
Why he matters
Miller, who was instrumental in shaping Trump’s “America First” agenda, is even more empowered now. He is the brains behind all things immigration — from sealing the border to mass deportations. Miller, who represents the ideological core of Trumpism, has a massive portfolio beyond immigration. He’s also one of the few people among the core staff in Trump’s second term who has done this before and knows how the White House works.
What he wants
Miller, a true believer, wants to push the president’s nationalist, populist agenda as far as he can.
Steve Witkoff
Special envoy to the Middle East. Billionaire real estate developer, donor and longtime Trump friend.
Why he matters
He is Trump’s golf buddy — and their drive down the fairway goes back to the 1980s. Trump is open to his counsel and, given how long a round of golf can go, he gets plenty of time to bend Trump’s ear. His tight bond with Trump empowers him in his official role and beyond. And despite the recent multiphase cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the task ahead remains daunting.
Karoline Leavitt
The new, and at 27 the youngest ever, White House press secretary
Why she matters
Leavitt, who worked in the last Trump White House as an assistant press secretary, has in the last two years proved herself to be one of the president’s toughest and most nimble communicators, making the rounds on cable to tout and defend his agenda as national press secretary. It’s a skill that’ll come in handy as she faces tough questions from reporters in the briefing room. But she’s known for her amiability, too — another skill that’ll come in handy with this job.
What she wants
To avoid the fate of Sean Spicer, who did not last long and lost credibility with the public after he defended Trump's falsehoods.
Who you should know...
James Blair
Deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs. He was political director on the campaign and at the Republican National Committee.
Why he matters
He’s another Florida man who helped Wiles win the state for Trump in 2020. He’s one of the people she heavily relies on. He’ll be coordinating all the people working to execute Trump’s agenda and will be deeply in the know about what’s driving the day in the Oval. During the campaign, he was almost always in the room and, for now, that’s likely to remain the case.
What he wants
He’s a true believer. His ideology and vibe matches MAGA.
Taylor Budowich
Deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. He ran Trump’s 2024 super PAC.
Why he matters
He impressed as Donald Trump Jr.’s gatekeeper in 2020, and Wiles took him under her wing. He’s now one of Wiles’ guys and Trump likes him. Plus, anyone who has Trump Jr.’s trust will have serious juice. He’s taking over one of the most coveted offices in the West Wing, usually reserved for the press secretary, a sign that he’s willing to use his muscle.
What he wants
Proximity and survival.
Vince Haley
Director of the Domestic Policy Council, where he will head up the president’s domestic policy agenda.
Why he matters
You’ll never see him but you’ll hear his words read off the prompter, his policies in executive orders and his political philosophy injected throughout the administration. Few people are more behind the scenes than Wiles but Haley, who worked for 12 years for former Speaker Newt Gingrich, is one of them. He is trusted, respected and heard.
What he wants
For Trump to stay on the prompter. Good luck with that!
Natalie Harp
Trump’s aide and “human printer”
Why she matters
The former far-right cable news anchor is now gatekeeper Numero Uno. She’s always with Trump. She gained the “human printer” moniker because she literally carries around a printer in a backpack so she’s able to print hardcopies — Trump’s preferred medium — of reading material. If you want to get to Trump or get information to Trump, you go through Harp. She has long been the conduit for the flow of news, sometimes to the chagrin of others.
What she wants
To loyally serve Trump, who she credits with saving her life. A 2018 law Trump enacted allowed her to access an experimental treatment for bone cancer.
Keith Kellogg
Special envoy for Ukraine and Russia and a decorated retired three-star general
Why he matters
Kellogg will be the central figure to help Trump handle the war in Ukraine. But that’s not the only reason he’s important. He’s been with Trump since 2015, from the moment he came down the golden escalator. He went to Pence world at the direction of Trump. He has been a regular fixture at Mar-a-Lago, even in the off-years. Trump may have his teams on military and foreign policy, but he’ll likely be calling up the general for his take on it all.
James Braid
Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, the top liaison between the White House and Capitol Hill
Why he matters
Braid is a longtime Hill staffer and close JD Vance ally, serving as his top policy staffer in the Senate. He worked in legislative affairs at the Office of Management and Budget during the first administration. And he has a major task ahead of him — navigating reconciliation.
Sergio Gor
Director of the Presidential Personnel Office, tasked with the monumental job of installing thousands of political appointees across the administration.
Why he matters
His job isn’t sexy, but he will have a crucial impact on Trump’s plans to install loyalists in key positions. Gor is perhaps one of the most colorful, amusing and well-liked characters in Trump’s orbit. He co-founded a publishing company with Trump Jr. that has produced several of the elder Trump’s books — and has DJ’ed MAGA parties across Palm Beach for the last four years.