President Donald Trump says he may terminate two outside consultants, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, amid reports that they worked in Europe for or advised a pro-Russian political entity in the Balkans. Multiple outlets report Trump characterizes their roles as outside consultancy rather than part of the White House team, and links the issue to potential conflicts of interest.
According to the accounts, Trump says the advisers could be removed if their consulting work conflicts with White House responsibilities. The reporting also describes how Republican operatives became concerned about the pair’s focus and activities during the U.S. campaign period, including work involving Republika Srpska, and notes that the consultants were said to have earned substantial fees for the outside work.
Across outlets, the core dispute centers on whether the advisers’ Europe-based lobbying or advisory activities overlap with U.S. campaign or administration priorities. The outlets differ mainly in emphasis—some foreground Trump’s distancing language, while others focus on the reported consultancy relationship and concerns raised within Republican circles. The underlying facts cited are the reported roles, the potential conflict issue, and Trump’s stated readiness to end their involvement if necessary.
