Trump's Top Congress Liaison Exits Before Midterms

Vance praised Braid in a post on X. "James Braid had one of the toughest jobs in the entire Administration as White House Legislative Director and delivered for President Trump at every turn," he wrote. "He played a critical role in all of the administration's achievements in Congress: largest tax cut ever, resources to carry out President Trump's historic immigration agenda and finish the border wall, defeating two Democratic shutdowns, a landmark first crypto bill, the fastest confirmation of the cabinet in decades and much more."

Vance added: "Not only is James brilliant, he is one of the hardest workers you will ever meet. He's been with me in every fight I've been in, from day one in my senate office through the transition and the President's transformative second term."

The Washington Examiner credited Braid with bringing "extensive Capitol Hill experience and a deep network of Republican relationships" to the job. Left-leaning Raw Story framed the move as another high-profile loss in a White House where the job is "increasingly hard." The Daily Mail called Braid Trump's "congressional whisperer" and described a staff exodus as the president's approval nears record lows.