Turmoil is reportedly brewing within the White House over the performance of Morgan DeWitt-Snow, the de facto head of the Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), which is responsible for vetting and hiring federal appointees. Sources claim President Trump became aware of a $10 donation DeWitt-Snow made to former Vice President Mike Pence's presidential campaign in 2023, leading to demands for her dismissal.
Despite the White House denying that DeWitt-Snow is on the verge of being fired, insiders suggest she remains in a precarious position. Her career is allegedly threatened by an ongoing internal conflict and scrutiny over perceived delays in the hiring and vetting process.
A White House official stated that the donation to Pence was made at the request of a friend to help Pence meet a threshold for participating in a presidential debate.
President Trump had previously issued a public directive, warning against recommending individuals associated with Mike Pence. The ultimate decision regarding DeWitt-Snow's future may rest with Dan Scavino, the official head of the PPO, who has reportedly delegated day-to-day operations to DeWitt-Snow. Scavino has indicated a desire to step down from his PPO director role by early 2027.
Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, is described by aides as DeWitt-Snow's mentor, and is reportedly advocating for her. The two have worked together since the end of Trump's first term, initially at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners.
Reports from multiple sources indicate that the PPO is suffering from internal disputes and slow hiring rates, with cabinet secretaries expressing frustration. Some claim that DeWitt-Snow has exacerbated these issues by appointing friends to key positions. For instance, Sara Grove, identified as one of DeWitt-Snow's bridesmaids, was reportedly placed in charge of hiring for the Department of War and the intelligence community, drawing complaints from Pentagon officials.
Grove and Ryan Shrum, another associate appointed by DeWitt-Snow to oversee disaster and humanitarian relief at the State Department, did not respond to requests for comment. A White House official, however, asserted that Grove was a top choice for her role and that Shrum underwent proper vetting.
While some sources believe DeWitt-Snow's position is unstable, others suggest her relationship with Wiles may ensure her continued employment. A White House spokeswoman dismissed the reporting as "fake news." Several cabinet secretaries, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Todd Blanche, issued statements to the Daily Mail praising DeWitt-Snow's work.
The PPO situation unfolds amidst a series of other high-profile departures from the White House this month, including legislative affairs director James Braid and press secretary Karoline Leavitt.