Miller Memo: White House Staff Need OK to Meet With Lobbyists

White House staff must now get prior approval from the White House Counsel’s office before meeting with registered lobbyists on the White House complex about government policy, according to a memo from Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s office first reported by Politico and confirmed by The Hill.

“No President in history has fought more relentlessly, selflessly or courageously for the American People than President Trump. Following his example, White House staff are expected to dedicate their time unwaveringly to the working people of the nation,” the memo states, according to The Hill.

Stephen Miller Just Publicly KICKED The Rats OUT Of The White House FOREVER…

A White House memo sent from Stephen Miller’s office requires all staff to obtain prior approval from the White House Counsel before meeting with registered lobbyists

The memo states that staff time… pic.twitter.com/kFg0mRAdYa

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 13, 2026

What the memo requires

“White House staff must receive prior approval from the Office of White House Counsel for meetings on the White House complex with registered lobbyists related to government policy,” the memorandum states, according to IANS, which reviewed a photograph of the document posted on X by commentator Benny Johnson.

IANS reported that the memo is addressed to White House Office staff under the subject line “Policy Regarding Meetings with Lobbyists” and identifies its author as Alina Bulazel, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of the Chief of Staff.

The memo says the Office of Public Liaison will continue to serve as the primary point of contact for engagement with outside stakeholders, according to The Hill and IANS. “For any questions regarding industry outreach, please consult the Office of Public Liaison (OPL),” the document says, IANS reported.

IANS noted that the visible text of the memo does not address off-site meetings or contacts with people who are not registered lobbyists, and does not set criteria for granting approval. The outlet reported that while Johnson described the directive as a ban on unauthorized meetings with lobbyists and special interests, the document itself does not use the word “ban.”

‘Much stricter’ process

A White House official told The Hill the memo went out Thursday night and describes “a much stricter process than before.” The Hill noted that Politico first reported the memo.

The policy marks a shift from Miller’s predecessor. Susie Wiles had come under criticism from some administration officials over her ties to lobbying groups, The Hill reported.

Under the memo, staff are expected to route outreach from industry and other outside groups through the Office of Public Liaison rather than arranging policy meetings with registered lobbyists on their own, according to IANS.

Trump announced Miller as the 33rd White House chief of staff on Nov. 6, succeeding Wiles, IANS reported. The lobbyist directive surfaced during his first week in the job, according to the outlet.

The memo is the latest sign of how Miller intends to run the West Wing as the administration prepares to work with a Democratic-controlled Congress beginning in January.

Reporting by Daily Beltway.