Smith spent a dozen years as Pence’s chief of staff while the current vice president was a congressman and later Indiana governor. He’s expanding his lobbying practice into the nation’s capital now that Donald Trump and Pence hold the White House. In a photo on his firm’s website, Smith and Pence are seen huddling in close consultation on an airplane. “It’s a new world,” the site declares.

The “new world” of Trump’s Washington was supposed to be one with fewer Bill Smiths. But the lobbyists, consultants and ex-government officials who make their living selling their influence aren’t dissuaded by that piece of Trump’s agenda.

Former campaign aides and other associates, like many before them, are setting up shop in Washington, eager to trade on their connections. This migration happens anytime a new president comes to town. Still, it demonstrates the uncomfortable reality Trump faces if he is serious about his promises to “drain the swamp” of those who use their ties to public officials to make “a fortune.”

It also belies a reality of such perennial promises to clean up Washington: No one, even those knee-deep in it, considers himself or herself to be part of “the swamp.”

Smith said his experience with Pence will prove valuable to clients and that it makes sense for those already with relationships to help shape the new Washington. Smith works with technology, defense, energy and insurance companies, among others.

Does that mean he’s part of what Trump described as the swamp?

“It’s really up to him to determine what’s in the swamp and what’s not,” Smith said. He said he senses among government relations types “a desire to be sensitive to the desires of the new administration when it comes to how they want to interact.”

The Trump campaign was far smaller and newer to politics than most, meaning those who have not gone into the administration are in hot demand by companies and industry groups hoping to make inroads with the new president.

Scott Mason, who was Trump’s chief liaison to the House through the campaign and transition, joined the government affairs firm Holland & Knight as a senior policy adviser this month.

“There’s that Trump campaign bond that’ll be beneficial to me, to Holland & Knight and ultimately to our clients,” Mason said. He’s not worried about how his old boss will feel about his new job.

“There’s the red-meat rhetoric, and there’s the reality, and President Trump has an extraordinarily good grasp of both,” he said. “I think he will come to realize that the government affairs professionals add value and add perspective — an important perspective.”

Indeed, neither Trump nor top advisers has condemned any of the former Trump team members’ spin through the revolving door of Washington.

Trump’s communications aides did not respond to requests for comment.

Lobbyists and trade groups were banned from contributing to the inauguration. But judging by the swarms of influencers who made appearances at official events this week, the new White House isn’t eager to wage an immediate war.