Washington, November 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
White House staff must obtain advance approval from the Office of White House Counsel before meeting registered lobbyists on the White House complex to discuss government policy, according to an internal memorandum that surfaced publicly on Thursday.
The document, issued by the office of Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, sets out an approval requirement for a specific category of meetings rather than imposing a blanket ban on contact with lobbyists.
A photograph of the memorandum was posted on X by commentator Benny Johnson. It identifies Alina Bulazel, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of the Chief of Staff, as its author. Addressed to White House Office staff, the document is titled “Policy Regarding Meetings with Lobbyists”.
“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.
The visible text does not cover off-site meetings or interactions with individuals who are not registered lobbyists. It also does not specify the criteria for approval or explain how staff should submit requests.
The memorandum directs staff to approach the Office of Public Liaison (OPL) for industry outreach, describing it as the primary channel for engagement with external stakeholders.
“For any questions regarding industry outreach, please consult the Office of Public Liaison (OPL), which will continue to serve as the primary point of contact for engagement with external stakeholders,” it states.
Johnson described the directive as a ban on unauthorised meetings with lobbyists and special interests. However, the document itself does not use the term “ban” and limits the approval requirement to policy-related meetings with registered lobbyists on the White House complex.
US President Donald Trump announced Miller’s appointment as the 33rd White House Chief of Staff on November 6. He succeeded Susie Wiles, whose tenure was praised in a White House statement issued that day. Miller previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and has been a longtime Trump adviser.
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