The White House chief usher is the head of household staff and operations at the White House, the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States of America. The position is currently held by Robert B. Downing, who was hired on December 1, 2021. He succeeded Timothy Harleth, who had been appointed chief usher by President Donald Trump on June 23, 2017 and was fired when President Joe Biden took office. The position was vacant from January 20, 2021 through December 1, 2021.