21st Century Javelin Catchers: White House Organization and the Chief of Staff

Abstract

This research discusses the impact that White House organization has on the roles of chief of staff. The paper begins with an overview of the major models of White House organization and the roles typically performed by chief of staff. By examining the impact of organizational difficulties faced by the chiefs of staff in the presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama through case studies, this research seeks to situate the major roles of chief of staff within White House organization to examine the impact of organization on chief of staff performance. The findings of the case studies suggest that the formalistic model of White House organization best serves the roles of chief of staff by providing clear, delineated lines of organization with specific tasks for White House staffing. The paper concludes by examining the presidency of Donald Trump and the organizational difficulties faced during the first year of his administration.