who was president obama's chief of staff
President Obama taps Denis McDonough to serve as his chief of staff and lead the team at the White House. President Barack Obama announces Denis McDonough as his Chief of Staff, replacing Jack Lew, the Presidentâs nominee for Treasury Secretary, in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 25, 2013. President Obama today tapped Denis McDonough to serve as his Chief of Staff and lead the team at the White House.