Charlie Spies, the Republican National Committee’s chief adviser, was forced out of his new role just two months after taking office amid a spate of controversy over conflicts with other clients at the firm where he is still subject, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.
Mr. Spies, a veteran election law attorney whom the RNC hired in March largely for his knowledge of how best to use existing rules to benefit a campaign or candidate, has been under fire since shortly after taking office on the committee.
A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign and the RNC did not respond to an email seeking comment. Mr. Spies declined to comment.
His previous work — including for the presidential campaign of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, the super PAC that supported Jeb Bush during the 2016 Republican primary against Donald J. Trump, and Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee — was highlighted for Mr. Trump from people who want to oust Mr. Spies.
That paved the way for getting rid of him, according to the two people briefed on the matter. But in recent weeks, the fact that Mr. Spies’ company – which he did not say goodbye to when he took the RNC job – still has ties to Mr. DeSantis has become a point of special concern for the two Trump officials Worry said.
Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Trump recently met for the first time to repair their relationship after their painful primary dispute. The Trump team, which is being outperformed by President Biden’s team, hopes Mr. DeSantis can help raise money. But the details of what that work might look like became a problem, leading to concerns that Mr. Spies was conflicted, the two people said.
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2024-05-05 04:22:28
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