President Donald Trump used his Truth Social account on Wednesday to state that any of his top political advisers who engage in outside work that could present a conflict of interest will be dismissed “immediately.” The warning came less than a month before the November midterm elections.
Report of foreign consulting raises concerns
The New York Times published details that James Blair, a former deputy chief of staff who now runs Trump’s outside political operation, and Chris LaCivita, the former 2024 co‑campaign manager, traveled to Republika Srpska – a semi‑autonomous entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina – to provide paid consulting services for its government.
According to the Times, the two advisers were each paid hundreds of thousands of dollars through a Washington‑based law firm retained by the Republika Srpska government to advise on voting issues. The report noted that the work was performed for the government rather than the nationalist party that controls it, though the two are effectively the same.
Trump’s response
In his post, Trump emphasized that Blair and LaCivita are “outside consultants” who do not work for him directly, adding, “They most likely have numerous clients, but for that you would have to ask them.” He continued, “They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, D.C. 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!”
Trump also reiterated his active role in campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, noting that the advisers’ foreign consulting does not affect his domestic election strategy.
Advisers’ roles in the Trump campaign
Blair currently leads the president’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., and has been tasked with directing the administration’s midterm election strategy. LaCivita serves as a senior adviser at the same super PAC. The organization has been spending tens of millions of dollars to support Republican candidates, including some in traditionally safe districts that now appear vulnerable.
The timing of the report and the president’s statement underscores the administration’s focus on maintaining ethical standards while pursuing an aggressive voter‑mobilization effort ahead of the upcoming elections.
Context of the Balkans trip
The trip to Republika Srpska occurred shortly before local elections there on Sunday. While the United States has not formally commented on the advisers’ work, the disclosure raises questions about the propriety of senior campaign staff providing paid services to foreign governments, especially those aligned with Russian interests.
Critics of the administration argue that such engagements could create real or perceived conflicts of interest, while supporters point to the president’s swift pledge to terminate any adviser whose activities conflict with his duties.
As the midterm campaign intensifies, the Trump administration’s handling of this issue may influence public perception of its commitment to ethical governance.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
