Overview
- Reports say close to a dozen West Wing staffers have left in recent weeks, including high-profile departures such as Karoline Leavitt and James Braid.
- Karoline Leavitt has moved to MAGA Inc., which observers say lets her remain an outside adviser while removing a prominent public defender of the president from the press room.
- Named recent exits include Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson, Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker, Special Assistant Lea Bardon, Director of Cabinet Affairs Emily Underwood, a Stephen Miller aide, and Director of Media Affairs Sonny Joy Nelson.
- Coverage links the turnover to policy setbacks on Iran, a trade dispute with Canada, and falling presidential approval ratings that have increased pressure on senior staff.
- Officials are rotating duties to cover briefings and communications, but the staffing gap raises the prospect of weaker messaging and greater exposure to congressional subpoenas if Democrats retake the House in November.