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President Donald Trump announced Sunday that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino will take on a new role overseeing the administration’s hiring and appointments, as a government shutdown stretches into its second week.
Scavino, a longtime Trump ally who has served as deputy chief of staff since the start of the president’s second term, will now lead the White House Presidential Personnel Office, which manages the selection and vetting of thousands of political appointments across federal agencies.
“I am pleased to announce that the great Dan Scavino, in addition to remaining Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, will head the White House Presidential Personnel Office,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Dan will be responsible for the selection and appointment of almost all positions in government, a very big and important position. Congratulations Dan, you will do a fantastic job!”
Scavino replaces Sergio Gor, whom Trump praised for “a wonderful job” in the role. Gor has been selected to serve as U.S. ambassador to India.
The move adds Scavino to one of the most influential internal positions in the administration, giving him broad authority to shape the federal workforce as Trump continues a sweeping effort to remake the executive branch along his policy priorities.
It also comes as the White House battles congressional Democrats over who is to blame for the shutdown, which began Oct. 1 after lawmakers failed to approve a spending bill.
Republicans argue the standoff is being driven by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who has insisted any short-term funding measure include extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies and protections against Medicaid cuts. Trump and GOP leaders want a “clean” funding bill without new policy provisions.
The shutdown has already halted many federal operations and furloughed hundreds of thousands of civilian workers. Military service members are required to work but risk missing their next paycheck if the stalemate continues.
Trump sought to ease those concerns on Saturday, ordering Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to ensure troops are paid on Oct. 15.
“Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown,” Trump wrote. “I DISAGREE! If nothing is done… our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.”
“We have identified funds to do this,” he added. “Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.”
The White House did not say when Scavino will formally assume his new responsibilities, but the move is expected to take effect immediately.
