Trump loses top Congress aide who helped navigate his tight House majority
🚨 JUST NOW: President Trump says this will go down as the most successful Republican Congress in HISTORY as his Director of Legislative Affairs leaves the White House
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 20, 2026
"James Braid, our Director of Legislative Affairs, will be leaving the White House in September. James has… pic.twitter.com/tRJjVHaAGu
WASHINGTON, DC: James Braid, Trump’s top congressional liaison, will leave the White House in September after helping the president navigate a tight House majority and advance key legislation.
Braid served as Trump’s director of legislative affairs and worked closely with Vice President JD Vance, including during Vance’s Senate tenure.
Trump announced Braid’s departure on Thursday, August 20, while praising his role in the administration’s congressional victories and legislative agenda.
James Braid helped Trump navigate Congress
Braid played a central role in working with the narrow House majority to pass the One Big, Beautiful Bill, which extended tax cuts from Trump’s first term and increased funding for immigration enforcement.
He also helped advance the GENIUS Act, described as Trump’s major cryptocurrency legislation.
Trump credited Braid with helping secure several other congressional wins.
“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,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account on Thursday.
I am profoundly grateful to President Trump and Vice President @JDVance for the opportunity to be a part of this extraordinary team, and to serve in an administration that has worked with the Congress to deliver the largest tax relief in American history, the resources necessary… https://t.co/fF37xDnwM5 pic.twitter.com/DCNku09Eet
— JamesBraid (@JamesCBraid) August 20, 2026
Trump also praised the broader Republican congressional record, saying, “This has been, and will continue to be, the most successful Republican Congress in History.”
The president concluded his statement by thanking Braid, saying, “Thank you, James, for your service to our Nation!”
Braid previously served during Trump’s first term and spent 19 months in the president’s second administration.
White House departures are mounting
Braid’s exit comes after several other senior administration departures, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House Counsel David Warrington, and Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson.
Leavitt announced her departure earlier this month, after returning from maternity leave following Viviana's birth in May. Trump said she was leaving to spend more time with her young children and family.
“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” Trump said on Truth Social.
Trump added that Leavitt would remain one of his “top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party.”
Andy Baker, the White House’s deputy national security adviser and a close Vance ally, is also on his way out.
Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair has temporarily left the White House to oversee Trump’s political operation and midterm spending from outside the administration.
Departures extend well beyond the White House
The departures extend beyond the White House.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer are also out.
Noem’s firing in March was followed by the departure of Corey Lewandowski, her senior adviser.
Joe Kent, appointed as director of the National Counterterrorism Center when Trump took office, resigned March 17 in protest of the Iran war.
