Webhe interviewed 100 oval office insiders, cabinet members, white house aides and advisers from fdr's personal secretary to henry kissinger. Webone night 150 years ago, in may 1861, three virginia slaves crept away from their master under cover of darkness, stole a boat and escaped across the james river. Webdonald winthrop (lodric collins), the new chief of staff is powerful and ruthless. Webthe oval office is the formal working space of the president of the united states. Part of the executive office of the president of the united states, it is in the west wing of the.