Trump names Katie Bailey as White House legislative affairs director

President Trump on Saturday named Katie Bailey as the White House’s legislative affairs director, months after former director James Braid vacated the role ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that Bailey, as deputy director, “has already delivered strong results” in assisting with the confirmations of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton and Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling.

“After previously working 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,” Trump wrote. “Katie will take the place of James Braid, my longest tenured Legislative Affairs Director, who has done a fabulous job, and is now going into the private sector, where he will be very successful.”

“I know Katie will be fantastic, and work tirelessly with Congress to pass Bills that help, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE,” the president’s post concludes. “Good luck Katie!”

The announcement comes after Trump announced conservative commentator Katie Zacharia was named as the new White House press secretary.

Braid congratulated Bailey on the social platform X, noting her past work with other Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.).

“Katie’s a consummate pro, an extraordinary hill operator, and one of the best people in Washington,” Braid wrote. “Katie is going to do great things, and I know that the Office of Legislative Affairs will deliver for the President under her leadership.”

Braid played a key role in ushering major pieces of Trump’s legislative agenda through Congress, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as well as Trump’s judicial nominees. Braid was also a key link between Trump’s and Vice President Vance’s orbits going into the president’s second administration.

Vance praised Braid when announcing his departure, saying that he has “been with me in every fight I’ve been in, from day one in my Senate office through the transition and the president’s transformative second term.”

“He has served the President with distinction and I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Vance said in a post on X.

Bailey enters the role as Republicans face an uphill battle to maintain control of both chambers of Congress. Decision Desk HQ, The Hill’s partner, projects a 76 percent probability that Democrats win back the House, while they have a 56 percent probability of reclaiming the Senate.