All of Obama's Friends Are Leaving 3.57K Max Read 01/05/11 12:25AM Filed to: The White House The White House Barack Obama Robert Gibbs david axelrod Tom rouse Richard Daley Valerie Jarrett Rahm Emanuel Gettypic Poor President Obama! All of his besties are leaving the White House. Advisor David Axelrod and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs are likely leaving soon, Gibbs as early as Friday, at which point Obama may announce a new Chief of Staff.