Key takeaways:
- Trump named Katie Bailey to lead the White House Office of Legislative Affairs and serve as his liaison to Congress.
- Bailey replaces James Braid, who is leaving for the private sector; CBS News reported that his final day will be Tuesday.
- Republicans hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress ahead of the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump has named Katie Bailey to lead the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, putting her in charge of the administration’s relationship with Congress as midterm elections approach and Republicans defend narrow majorities in both chambers.
Trump offered Bailey the position Friday, and she accepted, according to CBS News. He confirmed the appointment in a Truth Social post Saturday night, writing that Bailey “will be fantastic, and work tirelessly with Congress to pass Bills that help, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Bailey replaces James Braid, who is leaving for the private sector. CBS News reported that his final day will be Tuesday. Trump praised his predecessor, saying Braid “has done a fabulous job.”
Bailey is already a deputy director of legislative affairs. Trump said she has worked with the Senate and helped with the confirmations of Cabinet members, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. In another Truth Social post, Trump pointed to her experience on Capitol Hill: “Katie understands how the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government can most effectively work together to achieve Great Success for the American People.”
Before joining the White House, Bailey was legislative director for Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican who became the state’s governor in January 2025. The accounts of her White House roles differ: CBS News describes her as currently serving as both special assistant to the president and deputy director of legislative affairs, while NBC News says her LinkedIn profile lists her special assistant role as running from September 2025 to June 2026.
The appointment comes as control of Congress hangs in the balance. Republicans hold slim majorities in the House and Senate, and either chamber could shift to Democratic control in the midterms. A change would alter the conditions under which Bailey works to advance the president’s priorities on Capitol Hill.
Braid helped steer those priorities through Congress. Vice President JD Vance called legislative director “one of the toughest jobs in the entire Administration” and credited Braid with playing “a critical role” in the administration’s congressional achievements. Vance listed tax cuts, resources for Trump’s immigration agenda and border wall, a cryptocurrency bill and Cabinet confirmations among them. Braid previously served as Vance’s top policy aide and deputy chief of staff when Vance was a senator, according to NBC News.
Accounts of Braid’s departure differ on timing. CBS News says Vance announced last month that Braid was stepping down. NBC News reports that Trump announced the exit in late August and said Braid would leave in September. In a post at the time, Braid said he was “profoundly grateful” to Trump and Vance.
Bailey’s appointment follows Trump’s naming of Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary a day earlier, NBC News reported.
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