White House legislative affairs director departs post ahead of midterms

White House legislative director James Braid is leaving his post, Vice President Vance announced on Thursday .

Braid’s departure comes ahead of November’s midterm elections and at a time when President Trump’s relationship with Senate Republicans has grown rocky . Additionally, Braid, who was previously Vance’s legislative director in the Senate, is departing as the vice president considers a presidential run in 2028.

“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. He has served the President with distinction and I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Vance said in a post on the social platform X.

“Very excited to see what he does next,” the vice president added.

Braid’s departure comes as Republicans face an uphill battle in retaining their majorities in the House and the Senate.

Braid played a key role in ushering major pieces of Trump’s legislative agenda through Congress, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as well as Trump’s Cabinet and judicial nominees.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised Braid for his “extraordinary skill” leading the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

“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,” Johnson wrote in a post on X on Thursday.

In addition to serving as a link between both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, Braid was also a key link between Trump’s and Vance’s orbits going into the president’s second administration.