Donald Trump‘s congressional whisperer is departing the White House as a staff exodus descends on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and the president’s approval sinks near record lows.
James Braid, the White House director of legislative affairs, is leaving the administration in September.
Braid has been responsible for liaising with members of Congress to shepherd the president’s policy agenda through Capitol Hill, a job that has become increasingly difficult amid intra-GOP fighting and personal attacks Trump has lobbed at lawmakers.
His departure comes amid an avalanche of aides leaving the administration. Last week, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she would depart White House service at the end of this month.
Her former deputy spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, left two weeks ago.
Earlier this month, White House counsel David Warrington, shared that he too would leave at the end of August.
Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker and Trump aide Emily Underwood also said they would leave the administration’s employment this month as well.
The exodus comes as the president’s approval rating has slid to near record lows. A new Reuters/Ipsos survey found that just 33 percent of respondents approve of Trump’s performance, while 64 percent disapprove.