White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Dearborn, a longtime Capitol Hill hand who helped get the Trump administration on its feet, plans to step down in the new year, officials said this week.
Mr. Dearborn, who previously worked for Sen. Jeff Sessions, served as a key link between the new White House and congressional GOP leaders, helping orchestrate what Republicans called a historic year of accomplishments.
Conservatives said he was instrumental in helping translate the Trump agenda into action.
“Rick Dearborn embarked on a journey to change the way Washington DC does business more than 2½ years ago,” said Rep. Mark Meadows, a leading conservative in the House. “His belief that the forgotten man and women needed a voice in our nation’s capital was demonstrated when he left a secure position to work tirelessly beside than man who we now have the honor of calling our President, Donald J. Trump.”
Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Republican, called Mr. Dearborn a “valuable asset” to the White House, and Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, called him an important soldier in “critical public policy battles” conservatives have waged over the years.
Mr. Dearborn oversaw the White House’s legislative affairs, public outreach and political operation. He worked for the Trump campaign then on the presidential transition before joining the White House.
“Rick has been a loyal and faithful staffer for the President for over two years and he has been a great friend and co-worker to all of us who have had the privilege of working with him,” said White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. “We will all miss getting to see him every day, but have no doubt we will continue working with him to promote the president’s agenda.”
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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