Trump names new acting director of legislative affairs

President Trump on Friday appointed a new acting head of the Office of Legislative Affairs to replace departing director Eric Ueland.

Amy Swonger, currently the deputy director of legislative affairs with a focus on the Senate, will take over as head of the office. Swonger has been in the White House since the beginning of the administration and was previously considered for the job when Shahira Knight vacated it in 2019.

Cassidy Hutchinson, who has held various roles in the White House, will now serve as coordinator for legislative affairs for chief of staff Mark Meadows.

Swonger will likely play a key role in any future negotiations on stimulus legislation to boost the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, though White House officials and Senate Republicans have yet to commit to another package.

The changes are the latest staff turnover since Meadows replaced Mick Mulvaney as chief of staff in March. Ueland’s departure was expected in recent weeks, and his last day was Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter. He is expected to be nominated for a role in the State Department. 

Ueland took the legislative affairs role in June 2019 after spending more than two decades working on Capitol Hill. He was a key figure in coordinating the president’s impeachment defense during the Senate trial in January and a frequent presence in legislative negotiations.