Former President Donald Trump is celebrating the departure of the head of the Republican National Committee’s legal department.
Charlie Spies, the RNC’s chief counsel and respected election lawyer, parted ways with the RNC after just a couple of months on the job reportedly over lingering tension with the Trump world.
“Great news for the Republican Party,” Mr. Trump posted Sunday night on Truth Social. “RINO lawyer Charlie Spies is out as Chief Counsel of the RNC. I wish him well!”
Mr. Spies has previously worked for Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney and Ron DeSantis — three Republicans who have knocked heads with Mr. Trump in recent years.
The RNC attributed Mr. Spies’ departure to “potential time commitment conflicts.”
“Charlie approached RNC Chief of Staff Chris LaCivita about potential time commitment conflicts and it was agreed that while we appreciate and value Charlie’s expertise and professionalism, he could not do this role full time and still maintain the obligations to his law firm practice that he has spent years successfully building,” said RNC spokesperson Danielle Alvarez.
The RNC has undergone a dramatic makeover in recent months. Ronna McDaniel, who Mr. Trump installed as chair in 2017, stepped down earlier this year amid growing complaints about the party’s electoral struggles on her watch.
Following Mr. Trump’s marching orders, the RNC installed Michael Whatley, a North Carolina Republican and Trump loyalist, as the party’s new national chairman, and Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law, as co-chair.
The leadership shakeup was the latest reminder of Mr. Trump’s unmatched sway over the party and came months before he is expected to be nominated as the party’s presidential nominee.
Mr. Spies told The Washington Times Monday evening that “working full time at the RNC wasn’t the right fit with my law firm client commitments.”
“But,” he said, “I remain focused on getting President Trump and Republicans at all levels elected in November.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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