Gavin Wax, a chief of staff in the State Department's Washington headquarters, was reinstated to his position after being placed on administrative leave, a decision that has reportedly caused significant backlash within the department and among some political figures.
The reversal of his dismissal, which had been approved by the White House Office of Presidential Personnel and senior State Department officials, reportedly came about after Wax made a phone call to Boris Epshteyn, a senior counselor to former President Donald Trump. Five senior Trump administration sources familiar with the matter indicated that Epshteyn then took Wax's case to Trump, leading to the dismissal being undone within a week.
The decision to place Wax on leave was reportedly initiated at the behest of Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, with coordination from the White House's liaison office at the State Department. Sources suggest the move to reinstate Wax has undermined the credibility of the department's staff and signaled that politically connected individuals may be untouchable.
"It signals to everyone else in the department that if you have the ear of someone close to the president, you are untouchable no matter what you do," one State Department source told the Daily Mail.
The reinstatement has reportedly infuriated Senator Marco Rubio, who has made his opposition to Wax remaining in the department clear, according to three senior sources familiar with his reaction. Rubio and other senior officials are reportedly advocating for Wax's departure from the building.
The initial decision to remove Wax reportedly stemmed from an incident on July 17, when Wax hosted a lunch for Serbian right-wing politicians considered pro-Kremlin, despite being advised against it by career officials. The department's Europe bureau was reportedly angered by the meeting, and Landau's office allegedly inquired about barring the guests from the building. Furthermore, Wax allegedly told the Serbian attendees that Landau had approved the meetings, a claim that reportedly incensed Landau when he learned of it.
Three days later, Wax's supervisor, Under Secretary Sarah Rogers, was informed by human resources that her chief of staff would be dismissed by the end of the day. Rogers reportedly objected but was informed she had no authority in the matter.
Wax, who has been a divisive figure at the State Department for over a year, has faced previous accusations, including alleged leaking in the Young Republican group chat scandal and an incident in a Truman Building elevator where he was accused of shoving and threatening an aide. The department's Office of Special Investigations reportedly reviewed the elevator complaint, though the status of that investigation is unclear.
Wax's reinstatement occurred just before he went on paternity leave following the birth of his second child. He is slated to follow Under Secretary Rogers to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, pending Senate confirmation, a move being framed by the administration as a promotion.
Wax's history includes leading the New York Young Republican Club, which was the first chapter to endorse Trump's 2024 campaign. He has also been linked to Boris Epshteyn for years, and a source close to Wax indicated that his most direct line to Trump is through aide Natalie Harp.
A State Department spokesperson denied that Diplomatic Security agents were placed outside Wax's office. However, sources maintain that two agents were stationed there on July 20 to ensure Wax attended a 5 p.m. meeting regarding his administrative leave.
When asked for comment, the White House, Epshteyn, Wax, Rogers, and the State Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from the Daily Mail. A White House official stated that Wax would be an "incredible addition" to the U.S. Agency for Global Media and would continue to "successfully execute President Trump's America First policies."