Top Trump aide leaving White House for outside groups

by Jordan Fabian - 03/30/17 1:13 PM ET

President Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Katie Walsh, is leaving the White House to work with outside groups tasked with promoting his agenda.

“Katie Walsh has accepted a position with an outside organization,” a White House official said. “She has been a tremendous asset to the president and we are confident she will be so in her new role as well.”

The move comes after a rough week for Trump, capped by the failure of the House GOP healthcare plan last Friday.

{mosads}Trump allies inside and outside the White House were frustrated by the level of involvement from political non-profits, such as the pro-Trump America First Policies, in touting the measure.

Walsh is close to Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus, who has been blamed by some Trump supporters for the president’s early stumbles. She served as Priebus’ chief of staff when he led the Republican National Committee.

Walsh’s move is the latest staff shakeup at the White House, which is still struggling to find its footing.

Trump fired Michael Flynn as national security adviser in February after it was revealed his misled senior officials about his talks with Russia’s U.S. ambassador.

“Yes->Katie asked to provide badly needed air cover for the President’s agenda, per Reince/Bannon/Jared! Will work with @AmericaFirstPol,” tweeted veteran GOP operative Mike Shields.

Walsh’s role is changing after Rick Gates was forced to leave his leadership position at America First Policies over his longstanding ties to Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman who is under scrutiny over his ties to Russia.

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