Trump distances himself from top political aides over lobbying work
President Donald Trump stated that there would be no conflicts of interest regarding political advisers Chris LaCivita and James blair, dismissing reports that they previously worked for a pro-Russian government in teh Balkans. He emphasized that both are outside consultants free to work for multiple clients and that he would fire them if their work created a conflict. Reports from The New York Times revealed that LaCivita, Trump’s campaign co-chairman, and Blair, a former White House deputy chief of staff, received ample payments through a law firm from the Republika Srpska government for advisory work related to voting issues. Blair is also known for designing the GOP’s mid-decade redistricting strategy,wich did not achieve its initial goal. The involvement of these advisers has sparked division within Trump’s camp, with critics like Steve Bannon labeling them as opportunists “grifters,” contrasting with trump’s promises to “drain the swamp.” Additionally, there are concerns among Democrats about voter complacency amid early victory predictions, and some defending the advisers argue their busy campaign schedules limit scrutiny. The controversy highlights ongoing debates over the advisers’ roles and the transparency of their work ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
President Donald Trump insisted there will be no conflicts of interest created by political advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair after reports that they worked for a pro-Russian government in the Balkans before Russia’s election.
“Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “They do not work for me, other than as outside consultants. They most likely have numerous clients, but for that, you would have to ask them. They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, D.C.”
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The president added he will fire the pair if their work amounts to a conflict of interest.
“I do not have any idea who else they work for but will, on reflection, ask them and, if there’s a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!” wrote Trump.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that LaCivita, Trump’s 2024 campaign co-chairman, and Blair, his former White House deputy chief of staff, were paid hundreds of thousands apiece through a law firm retained by Republika Srpska’s government to provide advice regarding voting issues.
LaCivita and Blair both continue to help Trump, mainly through his MAGA Inc. super PAC, with Blair, in particular, leading meetings with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to advise administration officials and congressional Republicans on the president’s midterm strategy.
Blair is also credited as the architect of the GOP’s mid-decade redistricting strategy, which was initially meant to net Republicans upwards of 15 seats but, given the political environment and counterefforts from Democrats, looks to fall well short of that.
The consulting work generated a divided response from Trumpworld, with the midterm elections less than a month away.
Former Trump White House chief political strategist Steve Bannon criticized LaCivita and Blair as “grifters” at odds with Trump’s 2016 promise to “drain the swamp.”
DEMOCRATS FEAR EARLY VICTORY TALK COULD MAKE VOTERS COMPLACENT AND HAMPER TURNOUT
“Newsom just said ‘the Democrats need to focus on ending Trump’s presidency in 28 days’ while these two grifters are out of the country — and we wonder why the MAGA base may have an enthusiasm gap,” Bannon told Politico. “We need a forensic audit of where the money went so the president has the information to hold people accountable.”
A Trump White House ally, however, dismissed the scrutiny: “If not for this story being published, no one involved in the midterms would have even known he took the trip, because [Blair] was working quite literally around the clock on races. James literally hosted a Saturday team meeting to review & make big strategic decisions.”
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