Vice President JD Vance is reportedly preparing to say goodbye to one of his closest advisers as Jacob Reses, his longtime chief of staff and confidant, plans to leave the administration at the end of the summer.
According to people familiar with the vice president’s office, Reses informed Vance several months ago that he intended to step down from his position after learning that his wife is expecting the couple’s first child. Reses has served as Vance’s chief of staff since January 2025, when President Donald Trump and Vance took office.
His next professional move has not yet been publicly disclosed.
The departure marks the end of a partnership that stretches back years and spans nearly every stage of Vance’s rise in national politics. In a statement first shared with NBC News, the vice president praised Reses as one of the most important figures in his political career.
“Jacob’s been by my side for my whole career in public life,” Vance said.
The vice president said Reses had been a trusted adviser from the beginning of his time as a senator-elect and described him as both a loyal counselor and a close friend.
“I’ll miss him dearly,” Vance added, while expressing confidence that the relationship will continue even after Reses leaves government service.
Reses first built a close working relationship with Vance during the future vice president’s successful 2022 Senate campaign in Ohio. Before joining Vance’s team, he worked for Heritage Action, an affiliate of the Heritage Foundation, and later served under Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.
As Vance’s political profile grew, Reses remained a constant presence. Following Trump’s decision to select Vance as his running mate in the 2024 election, Reses frequently traveled alongside him on the campaign trail and became one of the vice president’s most trusted advisers.
The personal bond between the two extended beyond politics. A source close to Vance said the vice president delivered a toast at Reses’ wedding in January and noted that Reses developed strong relationships throughout the White House and across the administration.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles credited Reses with handling a broad range of responsibilities during his time in government.
“Jacob has been an important part of our White House leadership team and has served the Vice President with absolute distinction,” Wiles said.
She praised his ability to manage issues ranging from diplomacy and war to routine administrative responsibilities, describing him as someone willing to take on any challenge regardless of size.
Several senior administration officials also offered glowing assessments of Reses’ contributions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Reses’ intellect, leadership, and humor would be missed. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent credited him with helping support administration efforts focused on reshoring industries and shifting the economy toward production, savings, and investment. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described him as tough, smart, hardworking, and loyal.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted Reses’ behind-the-scenes role in administration initiatives abroad and suggested his influence often exceeded his public profile.
“Don’t let Jacob fool you — beneath his kind exterior he’s a killer,” Witkoff said, adding that their travels and negotiations overseas had been historic.
Despite his departure, those close to Vance do not appear to view this as a permanent farewell. One source suggested it would not be surprising if Reses eventually returned to work with the vice president in some capacity.
His exit comes amid a period of staffing changes within Vance’s office. The vice president has already seen turnover among senior aides, including changes in deputy chief of staff positions and the departure of top lawyer Sean Cooksey earlier this year.
Even so, Vance has largely maintained the core team that helped launch his political career, making Reses’ departure one of the most notable personnel changes yet within the vice president’s inner circle.
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