Someone who has played a major role in the many legislative accomplishments of the Trump 47 administration will be leaving.
President Trump took to his Truth Social account on Thursday to announce that James Braid, who has served as the White House's congressional liaison, is heading for the exit this fall:
TRUMP: Announces White House legislative affairs director James Braid will leave in September after helping pass the ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL and GENIUS Act pic.twitter.com/2FFZ65udop
— Trump Truths (@trumptruthsbot) August 20, 2026
“James Braid, our Director of Legislative Affairs, will be leaving the White House in September. 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 wrote.
The president added, “This has been, and will continue to be, the most successful Republican Congress in History. Thank you, James, for your service to our Nation!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who recently shared that she will also be leaving, praised Braid as a vital resource for her press briefings:
James Braid is brilliant and supremely hardworking. I often call James before press briefings for advice on legislative issues, and he’s always been there for me with sensible guidance. A great guy! https://t.co/20bQtD6KKZ
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) August 20, 2026
READ MORE: Karoline Leavitt Makes Important Announcement About Her Future
Braid responded with gratitude to the "extraordinary team" at the WH:
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
"I am profoundly grateful to President Trump and Vice President @JDVance for the opportunity to be a part of this extraordinary team," he wrote, "and to serve in an administration that has worked with the Congress to deliver the largest tax relief in American history, the resources necessary to secure the border and build the wall across two reconciliation bills, the fastest confirmation of the cabinet in twenty years, and defeating two Democratic shutdowns."
Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-4) spoke about Braid's "essential role" in passing the America First agenda:
James Braid has served his country with distinction and led the White House’s Office of Legislative Affairs with extraordinary skill. His great friendship, unwavering commitment, and tireless work ethic have helped House and Senate Republicans advance President Trump’s America…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) August 20, 2026
"James Braid has served his country with distinction and led the White House’s Office of Legislative Affairs with extraordinary skill. His great friendship, unwavering commitment, and tireless work ethic have helped House and Senate Republicans advance President Trump’s America First agenda in spite of our razor-thin majorities, and he has played an essential role in delivering historic results for the American people. We wish James, his wife Melissa, and their family all the best in their next chapter," Johnson wrote.
As for speculation about a lack of communication between the president and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Braid totally dismissed that notion as nonsense in a recent interview with Punchbowl:
👀 President Trump's legislative affairs director James Braid said there’s nothing going on between Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Trump, telling Fly Out Day Hosts @JakeSherman and @apalmerdc, "I can very much assure you that the talking is going on."
— Punchbowl News (@PunchbowlNews) June 18, 2026
Watch the… pic.twitter.com/DNqrTZbriS
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