RNC chief of staff exiting amid Trump tensions

Republican National Committee (RNC) chief of staff Mike Reed told colleagues Tuesday that he would be serving his last month in his official post before transitioning into the private sector. 

“About a year ago, I told the chair I needed to move on for a variety of personal reasons, and we agreed that I would serve as chief of staff until the 2024 Winter Meeting,” Reed told RNC staff, according to a person familiar with the matter. 

“I have a growing family who needs and deserves my attention, and I would never want to serve as Chief of Staff through the year we are about to have if I could not devote 100% of myself to it,” he added, according to the source. “While I have accepted a position in the private sector and won’t be working in a political job this cycle, I will be a passionate advocate for our nominee from the outside and continue to help this building however I am able.” 

The news of Reed’s departure was first reported by Politico, which noted he’s moving to Cornerstone Government Affairs. The news outlet reported that he was gearing up to transition out of the RNC over the last year, citing two people familiar with the matter.  

“In the chaotic world of D.C. and the RNC, Mike Reed has been a calm and steady hand as our Chief of Staff,” RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said in a statement. “I will miss having Mike guide me and our staff but I am so happy and excited for his next adventure and that he will be able to spend more time with his wife Alice and their beautiful children.” 

As both parties gear up for a volatile presidential election, former President Trump recently made comments suggesting there might be a shake-up within the RNC. Trump picked McDaniel as chair of the RNC following his win in 2016. 

But in comments over the weekend, he offered tempered praise for the RNC chairwoman. 

“I think she did great when she ran Michigan for me. I think she did OK initially in the RNC,” Trump told “Sunday Morning Futures” anchor Maria Bartiromo. “I would say, right now, there will probably be some changes made.”  

But in Reed’s email to colleagues, he suggested that the committee had already been preparing for a change.

“I know the timing of this news comes as many rumors in the press swirl and we prepare to merge with the presumptive nominee,” he said. “I assure you, the RNC is in an incredibly strong position.”

“We always knew there would be some changes once we had a presumptive nominee, and we welcome that. Chairman McDaniel has had great conversations with Trump over the last few days and weeks,” he added. “She will continue to lead this organization to merge seamlessly should he be the nominee.”