Stephen Miller tightens White House lobbyist access rules days after becoming chief of staff

New White House chief of staff Stephen Miller issued an internal memo on Thursday requiring advance approval from the Counsel's Office for policy-related meetings with registered lobbyists on White House grounds. The directive comes days after Miller replaced Susie Wiles, amid allegations of lobbyist influence during her tenure.

New White House chief of staff Stephen Miller is tightening oversight of Trump administration officials' contacts with special interest groups. An internal memo circulated to all White House employees on Thursday requires advance approval from the White House Counsel's Office for policy-related meetings with registered lobbyists on White House grounds. The memo, distributed by the White House Office of Administration, also states that the Office of Public Liaison will continue to serve as the primary point of contact for outside parties. The directive comes amid recent allegations concerning the influence of lobbyists and wealthy individuals on the administration during the tenure of former chief of staff Susie Wiles, allegations that some of those involved have denied. The measure does not impose a blanket ban but requires advance approval for meetings concerning administration policy on White House grounds. In a speech at Mar-a-Lago following his appointment, Miller declared absolute loyalty to President Trump, stating, 'If it were not for President Trump, the United States would not exist today.' Miller now faces the challenge of managing the White House, mediating between cabinet members, and dealing with a Democratic-controlled Congress.