Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from two of his senior political advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, following reports of their consulting work for the government of Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trump clarified that both LaCivita and Blair are independent consultants who do not work for him directly outside their advisory roles.
Trump stated that while the advisers are allowed to take on other clients, he intends to review their external activities to ensure there are no conflicts of interest with their political roles in the United States. This decision follows concerns about the implications of their involvement with a foreign government.
Reports have surfaced indicating that LaCivita and Blair recently traveled to Republika Srpska, where they allegedly provided political assistance ahead of local elections. The two advisers, who have maintained close ties with Trump over the years, were reportedly compensated significantly for their services.
LaCivita played a prominent role in managing Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, while Blair has previously served as a deputy chief of staff at the White House. Despite being on leave, Blair continues to assist with Republican election efforts and is expected to return to the White House following the midterm elections, as previously stated by Trump.
The situation has sparked a debate regarding the appropriateness of political advisers working as consultants for foreign governments while remaining actively involved in U.S. political operations. Questions have been raised about potential conflicts arising from such dual roles, prompting Trump’s assurance of a thorough examination of the advisers’ activities.