May 1, 2026 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: GOP official Richard Walters joins White House staff

Alex Isenstadt

The White House — Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images

Veteran Republican official Richard Walters is expected to join the Trump White House as a deputy chief of staff, Axios has learned.

Driving the news: Walters, a longtime former senior Republican National Committee official who played a major role on Trump's three campaigns, won't have a specific portfolio.

Walters has a decade-long relationship with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, with whom he will be working with closely. Walters also has well-established relationships with other senior staffers.
He also was executive director of Trump's 2025 inaugural committee.

Zoom in: Walters joined President Trump and other White House officials in the Oval Office on Saturday evening, after a gunman allegedly tried to attack the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Walters' hire comes as the White House is increasingly shifting its focus to the midterms.

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Scoop: GOP official Richard Walters joins White House staff

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