Sequoia Capital, a leading venture capital firm in Silicon Valley, is discontinuing its Washington, D.C.-based policy team and closing its office in the city. This decision comes at a time when several other tech-related companies are seeking to boost their presence in the U.S. capital following President Trump’s re-election.
The changes, effective at the end of March, will affect three full-time employees and policy fellows associated with the firm. Sequoia has confirmed these layoffs, and sources familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, have indicated that the firm’s Washington office will be closed.
Sequoia had established its policy team five years ago, during the initial Trump administration, aimed at providing regulatory advice to its investment team and portfolio companies, enhancing its understanding of the policy landscape, and strengthening ties with global policymakers, experts, and think tanks. Don Vieira, who previously held senior national security positions at the Department of Justice and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, was responsible for opening the office. Vieira will be departing the firm as part of these changes and has not responded to requests for comment.
A spokesperson from Sequoia stated that the policy group’s strategic guidance and efforts have positioned the firm well to maintain relationships in the U.S. and Europe. Consequently, the firm is phasing out the dedicated policy function and closing its D.C. office at the end of March, expressing gratitude to the team for their contributions and impact.
These developments at Sequoia contrast with the actions of tech companies that have been increasing their visibility in Washington, D.C. since President Trump’s re-election. For instance, in January, Meta appointed Joel Kaplan, a former deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, to lead its global policy team. Furthermore, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has held meetings with President Trump at the White House and Mar-a-Lago.
Other venture capital firms have similarly been bolstering their presence in Washington, D.C., to support portfolio companies in highly regulated or political sectors like defense, cryptocurrency, or artificial intelligence. Andreessen Horowitz, for example, has recruited Patrick McHenry, former North Carolina congressman, and Matt Cronin, former Chief Investigative Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition, as senior advisors. Last fall, prior to the election, General Catalyst inaugurated the “General Catalyst Institute” to shape policies related to AI, healthcare, defense and intelligence, manufacturing, and energy.
Traditionally, Sequoia Capital has maintained a politically neutral stance as a firm, though many of its partners individually express political opinions or support presidential candidates financially. Roelof Botha, a top partner, stated last summer that he is not registered with any political party but focuses on policies that promote entrepreneurship, job creation, and ensure the United States maintains its competitive edge.
This report was initially published on Fortune.com.
