Jacob Reses Steps Down as Vice President JD Vance’s Chief of Staff

In a move that has sent ripples through the inner circles of the Trump administration, Jacob Reses will leave his position as chief of staff to Vice President JD Vance at the end of the summer. Reses, who has served Vance since his 2022 Senate campaign, gave the vice‑president notice months ahead after learning his wife was pregnant with their first child. The decision comes as Vance prepares for the remainder of his tenure in Washington, where Reses has been a key advisor and trusted confidant.

Reses’s exit marks the latest change in a relatively stable Vance staff. Since Vance and President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, Reses has been the steady force behind many of the Vice President’s initiatives. He began working on Vance’s campaign in Ohio and continued in that role when the former senator entered the White House, contributing notably on the campaign’s communications and policy strategy. Vance himself has described Reses as “a loyal and discerning advisor,” adding, “From day one of my time as a Senator‑elect, I could not have asked for a more loyal and discerning advisor and friend as my chief of staff.”

White House colleagues and senior cabinet members took to praising Reses as he departed. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles noted his broad skill set, from diplomacy to logistics, calling him an “important part of our White House leadership team.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Reses’s intellect and humor, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized his role in reshoring critical industries. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praised his “tough, smart, hardworking, and loyal” qualities—an embodiment of the qualities needed in the Trump White House. Even special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff underscored Reses’s low‑key demeanor and diplomacy, noting that he has been “a delight” to work with on foreign negotiations.

Vance said he will keep Reses’s counsel close, and a source close to the office indicated the former chief of staff could return to the vice‑president’s side in the future. Vance’s core team has largely remained intact since the 2022 campaign, a testament to the culture of continuity and loyalty that characterizes his administration. Reses’s departure is one of a few recent changes, as two deputy chiefs of staff and Vance’s chief lawyer, Sean Cooksey, have left office or moved to outside positions in February.

For Vance, the loss of Reses may prompt a reevaluation of staff dynamics, but the Vice President’s remarks suggest a smooth transition. “He won’t be far,” Vance said, “and I plan to keep his counsel close until our paths cross again.” Reses’s next move is still unknown, but observers expect him to remain in close alignment with Vance. With the administration in the midst of a busy end‑of‑summer schedule, the resignation underscores how personal milestones can intersect with the demands of public office.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, Reses’s exit will no doubt influence the structure and strategy of the Vice President’s office. In times of steady leadership, such adjustments are often just quieter gestures of personal and professional realignment, yet they also signal the complex interplay between private life and the highest echelons of government.

Conclusion

Jacob Reses’s departure as chief of staff to Vice President JD Vance underscores the evolving nature of political staffing and the importance of personal life milestones. With his experience and relationships firmly planted in the White House, Reses remains a key ally for Vance, suggesting that the transition will likely be smooth and that the Vice President’s agenda will continue to move forward without interruption.