Emily Underwood Leaves White House Amid Staff Departures

Emily Underwood, a top aide to Stephen Miller, is leaving her position in the White House. Underwood served as the deputy to the White House deputy chief of staff and has been part of the administration since the beginning of President Trump's second term. Her departure was first reported by Axios on August 18, 2026. Underwood will be joining the venture capital firm Trust Ventures. She is among several staff members who have recently announced their exits, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is leaving to spend more time with her children, and Deputy White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson. Caleb Orr, a longtime adviser to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will take over Underwood's role. Other notable departures include Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs Sonny Joy Nelson and Special Assistant Lea Bardon, director of cabinet affairs. Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker is also set to leave the administration.