Departments and their Function

The Chief of Staff is the most senior political appointee in the White House. This is the highest level of clearance in the United States Government, allowing the Chief of Staff access to highly classified national security issues. The position is widely recognized as one of great power and influence, owing to daily contact with the President and control of the Executive Office of the President. Oversees the actions of the White House staff, manages the President’s daily schedule, and decides who is allowed to meet with the President. Due to these core duties, the chief of staff has at various times been labeled “the President’s gatekeeper.”

Office Lead: White House Chief of Staff

Responsible for filling approximately 4,000 political appointment positions, of which 1,600 require Senate confirmation. Also, it recruits candidates to serve in departments and agencies throughout the Executive Branch.

Office Lead: Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel

Advises the President on all legal issues concerning the President and his administration, providing legal guidance for the President and the White House Office.

Office Lead: White House Counsel

The principal forum used by the President for considering domestic policy matters, excluding economic matters, which are the domain of the National Economic Council.

Office Lead: Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council

The principal forum used by the President of the United States for consideringeconomic policy matters, separate from matters relating to domestic policy, which are the domain of the Domestic Policy Council.

Office Lead: Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council

Coordinates policy and communications strategy and plays a critical role in managing the flow of information between the White House and the federal agencies and departments and in representing the interests of the Cabinet to the White House.

Office Lead: White House Cabinet Secretary

Serves the President’s primary liaison to Congress and is responsible for advancing the President’s legislative agenda on Capitol Hill.

Office Lead: Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs

Serves as the primary liaison between the White House and State, County (or county-equivalent), Local, and Tribal Governments.

Office Lead: Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

Ensures that the Executive Branch and the President are aware of the concerns of the American citizen. Performs outreach whose goal is to martial political support for the President’s agenda and policies.

Office Lead: Director of Political Affairs

Managing paper flow to the President and circulating documents among senior staff for comment. It has been referred to as “the nerve center of the White House.” The Office of the Staff Secretary, along with its sub-offices—the Office of the Executive Clerk, the Office of Records Management, and the Office of Presidential Correspondence—is the largest of the White House Offices.

Office Lead: White House Staff Secretary

Responsible for the planning, organization, and implementation of the President’s daily and long-range schedules.

Office Lead: Director of Scheduling and Advance

Promotes the agenda of the President and leads its media campaign.

Office Lead: Assistant to the President for Communications

Serves as the principal advisor to the President of the United States on all national security issues.

Office Lead: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

Responsible for communicating and interacting with various interest groups. Under the administration of President Barack Obama, it was called the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. President Donald Trump restored the prior name of the White House Office of Public Liaison and separated the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. President Joe Biden changed the name to the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Office Lead: Director, Office of Public Engagement

Responsible for day-to-day White House operations, and for centralized financial management and administrative efficiency across the Executive Office of the President. Controls White House salaries, personnel slots and office space.

Office Lead: Assistant to the President for Management and Administration

Promotes the U.S. President’s messaging through traditional and socImmediately outside the Oval Office, Oval Office Operations staff manage the President’s personal schedule, private engagements, and immediate access to meet with the President of the United States.

Office Lead: Director of Oval Office Operations

Provides military support for White House functions, including food service, presidential transportation, medical support, emergency medical services, and hospitality services.

Office Lead: White House Military Office Director