In President Trump’s second term, the senior adviser closest to the action in the Oval Office is Dan Scavino, a member of his inner circle for a long time. The physical proximity of an adviser’s office to the Oval Office has often been an indicator of influence with the president of the United States. However, in Mr. Trump’s second term, this may matter less as he stays in touch with key players through phone calls, seeking insights from those he values most.
The West Wing’s seating chart, which still has some empty desks, continues to be a source of intrigue for individuals both inside and outside the White House. According to sources familiar with the layout, the arrangement of offices in the West Wing remains a topic of interest. Scavino, who is now the deputy chief of staff, occupies the office next to the president’s private dining room. This office was previously used by Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser during the first term, and Mike Donilon during Joe Biden’s presidency.
Adjacent to Scavino’s office is James Blair, who currently serves as a deputy chief of staff. Blair previously held the office that Steve Bannon occupied during his time as chief strategist in the first Trump administration. Additionally, Susie Wiles, who was recently named chief of staff, has a spacious corner office that traditionally belongs to the chief of staff.
Other notable figures in the power hallway include Robert Gabriel, an assistant to the president, and Beau Harrison, the deputy chief of staff for operations. Harrison’s office is reminiscent of the one occupied by Biden adviser Bruce Reed, while Gabriel’s office bears a resemblance to Jen O’Malley Dillon’s former workspace.
Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications adviser, has the office with the least real estate between it and the Oval Office. She shares the outer Oval with Chamberlain Harris, a receptionist, Natalie Harp, a former One America News Network anchor who served as a body-man during the campaign, and Walt Nauta, a military aide and presidential valet. Nauta was previously accused of obstructing a government investigation into Mr. Trump’s handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, but the charges were dismissed by federal courts early in the second term.
In the western hallway of the West Wing, Vice President JD Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz have their offices in the usual locations. Vance’s chief of staff, Jacob Reses, is situated in the VP’s suite, while Alex Wong, deputy national security adviser, and senior adviser Micah Ketchel are in Waltz’s suite. Brian McCormack, the National Security Council chief of staff, and spokesperson Brian Hughes are located on the ground floor near the Situation Room, with the bulk of the NSC staff working in the neighboring Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Further down in the West Wing, border czar Tom Homan’s office is near the Navy Mess, and special envoy Steve Witkoff is also situated on the basement level. The layout and occupants of offices in the West Wing reflect the intricate web of relationships and responsibilities within the administration, as key players work together to support President Trump’s agenda and initiatives.
Overall, the physical arrangement of offices in the West Wing serves as a visual representation of the power dynamics and relationships that shape decision-making and policy implementation within the Trump administration. As the president’s closest advisers and top officials navigate the challenges and opportunities of a second term, the positioning of their offices in proximity to the Oval Office underscores their roles and influence in shaping the direction of the administration.
