Top Trump legislative aide quits as staff turnover spikes ahead of midterms

James Braid, identified as the president’s top liaison to Congress, has reportedly left his role as director of legislative affairs after a 19-month tenure in the current administration. Braid was instrumental in navigating Trump’s agenda through a narrow congressional majority and in advancing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. His exit joins a string of recent high-profile resignations, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt, deputy chief of staff James Blair, and former officials such as Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem.

The departures occur with roughly 75 days remaining before the midterm elections, a period when the president’s war in Israel has driven his approval rating down to a historic low. One outlet/Ipsos poll cited in the report shows 64 percent of respondents lack confidence in the president. The White House has not responded to inquiries about Braid’s departure.