Pete Rouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pete Rouse
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Rouse in 2009
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| Counselor to the President | |
| In office January 13, 2011 – January 1, 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Ed Gillespie |
| Succeeded by | John Podesta |
| Acting White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office October 1, 2010 – January 13, 2011 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Rahm Emanuel |
| Succeeded by | Bill Daley |
| Senior Advisor to the President | |
| In office January 20, 2009 – October 1, 2010 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Barry Jackson |
| Succeeded by | Brian Deese |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter Mikami Rouse
April 15, 1946 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Colby College (BA) London School of Economics (MA) Harvard University (MPA) |
Peter Mikami Rouse (born April 15, 1946) is an American political advisor. He is best known for working closely with U.S. President Barack Obama, including as his temporary White House Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff is one of the most important jobs in the White House, helping to manage the president's schedule and staff.
Rouse worked for many years in the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill. He was so skilled and knowledgeable that he was sometimes called the "101st senator." He first worked as Chief of Staff for Senator Tom Daschle. When Daschle left the Senate, Rouse became the Chief of Staff for the new senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.
After Obama was elected president in 2008, Rouse went with him to the White House. He served as a Senior Advisor and later as Counselor to the President. For a few months, he stepped in as the acting Chief of Staff.
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Early Life and Family
Rouse was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His father's family was from Europe, and his mother, Mary Uta Mikami, was of Japanese heritage. This makes Rouse a sansei, which means he is a third-generation Japanese American.
His mother's family had a difficult experience during World War II. His grandparents, who had moved to the United States from Japan, were sent to a relocation camp in Arizona. This happened to many Japanese Americans during the war.
Rouse went to several famous schools. He earned a bachelor's degree from Colby College in 1968. He then received a master's degree from the London School of Economics in 1970 and another master's degree from Harvard University in 1977.
Career in Politics
Rouse worked in government on Capitol Hill for over 40 years, starting in 1971. His long experience and deep understanding of how the U.S. Senate works earned him great respect.
Working with Senator Daschle
In 1985, Rouse began working for Tom Daschle, a senator from South Dakota. Rouse became his Chief of Staff, which is the top staff member in a senator's office.
In 2001, a dangerous letter was sent to Senator Daschle's office. Rouse was the one who reported it to the police. Afterward, many staff members had to be checked by doctors to make sure they were safe.
Working with Senator Obama
After Senator Daschle left the Senate in 2004, Rouse planned to retire. However, he was asked to become the Chief of Staff for the newly elected senator, Barack Obama. Rouse agreed and helped Obama learn how to be an effective senator.
Rouse gave Obama important advice. For example, he helped Obama work on new rules for government ethics. He also helped Obama decide on important issues, like who should be on the Supreme Court.
When Obama decided to run for president, Rouse became a key part of his campaign team. After Obama won the election, Rouse helped lead the team that prepared for the new presidency.
In the White House
Rouse was a very important advisor during President Obama's time in office. He was known for being calm, organized, and working behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Senior Advisor
For the first two years of the Obama presidency, Rouse was a Senior Advisor. He worked on internal organization and strategy. He helped solve problems and made sure the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, who managed the White House day-to-day, had the support they needed. He once said his job was to "fix things."
In 2009, Rouse was put in charge of the government's efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.
Chief of Staff and Counselor
In October 2010, the White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, left his job. President Obama asked Rouse to take over temporarily. This made Rouse the first Asian American to ever serve as White House Chief of Staff.
A few months later, in January 2011, William M. Daley became the new permanent Chief of Staff. Rouse was then promoted to a new role, Counselor to the President. He continued to be one of Obama's closest advisors until he left the White House at the end of 2013.
Life After the White House
After his long career in government, Rouse began working for a law firm called Perkins Coie. There, he uses his experience to advise clients on how to work with the federal government.
Personal Life
Rouse grew up in Connecticut. He is known to be fond of Maine Coon cats.
