President Trump confirmed that James Braid, his director of legislative affairs and an ally of Vice President J.D. Vance, will leave the White House in September. The president praised Braid for helping pass the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" and advancing the GENIUS Act. The departure comes amid a stalled SAVE America Act, polling that shows Democrats leading the generic ballot, and the recent, unexpected resignation of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Trump Confirms James Braid Will Leave White House in September After Leavitt’s Surprise Exit
Trump reveals next White House defection after Karoline Leavitt’s bombshell departure
President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that James Braid, the White House director of legislative affairs, will leave his post in September, roughly a week after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced her own unexpected departure.
White House Statement and Braid's Role
In a public statement, Mr. Trump praised Braid as a close ally of Vice President J.D. Vance and credited him with helping manage a narrow House majority to pass what the president dubbed the "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which extended tax cuts from Trump’s first term and increased funding for immigration enforcement. Trump also highlighted Braid's role in advancing the GENIUS Act, his administration’s major cryptocurrency legislation.
"James has played a critical role in our many accomplishments with Congress, including THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, beating the Democrats in two shutdown showdowns, passing the GENIUS Act, defeating a record number of War Powers resolutions, and the confirmation of my Cabinet at the fastest rate in decades," the president said.
Legislative Context
Despite those achievements, the administration’s legislative agenda has been relatively limited since passage of the recent massive spending package. While Trump has seen nearly all of his Cabinet nominations and many judicial nominees confirmed, his signature voting reform measure, the SAVE America Act—which would require identification cards for voting and proof of citizenship when registering—remains stalled. Senate Republican leader John Thune rejected the president’s suggestion to cancel the August recess to force a vote on the bill.
White House Director of Legislative Affairs James Braid will leave the White House soon. (Reuters)
Political Implications and Polling
Braid’s planned departure comes as Democrats appear poised to make gains in Congress. An Emerson College poll released Thursday showed 51% of likely voters supporting a generic Democratic congressional candidate compared with 43% for a generic Republican. The same poll put Mr. Trump’s approval rating at 40%, with 56% disapproving as he reaches the midpoint of his second term.
Turnover in the Second Term
Overall turnover in this second Trump administration has been lower than during his first term, but there have still been notable exits. Recent departures include White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, who left to assist midterm efforts, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after intense scrutiny, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard following a family health issue. The president also dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi and elevated her deputy, Todd Blanche.
Leavitt's Sudden Exit
Karoline Leavitt’s recent announcement reportedly surprised the White House, which did not immediately have a successor lined up for the press secretary role. That surprise, coupled with Braid’s planned exit, signals more changes ahead for the administration’s communications and legislative operations.
Photo caption: James Braid, White House director of legislative affairs, is scheduled to leave his post in September. (Reuters)
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