WASHINGTON, August 25, 2026, 07:18 EDT — Staff departures from the Trump White House have brought a 54% turnover rate into the spotlight.
- According to Brookings, senior White House “A Team” turnover stood at 54% as of August 20.
- Five recent departures cover communications, Congress, legal vetting, national security, and domestic policy.
- Public transition coverage has been named in two out of the five policy lanes.
- U.S. stock futures climbed on Tuesday, indicating that the exits did not trigger widespread market turmoil.
A wave of departures among Trump White House staff has increased risks to policy implementation ahead of the midterm elections. The initial impact on markets is minimal.
Turnover among President Donald Trump’s senior Executive Office “A Team” stands at 54%, according to the Brookings Institution. The data, last updated on August 24 and covering up to August 20, omits Cabinet secretaries and records each followed role a single time. Brookings turnover tracker
The rate has picked up speed. Turnover reached 29% at the end of the first year and grew by 25 percentage points over the next seven months. That subsequent rise makes up 46% of the present rate, with 25 out of 54.
| White House turnover indicator | Rate | Date / scope |
|---|---|---|
| Trump second term, initial year | 29% | January 20, 2026; senior “A Team” |
| Trump second term, most recent | 54% | August 20, 2026; senior “A Team” |
| Trump second term, Cabinet | 20% | August 20, 2026; 15 succession-line posts |
| Trump first term, at conclusion | 92% | January 20, 2021; senior “A Team” |
Departures are affecting five distinct operational divisions. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart at the end of August but will continue as an external adviser. There is no word on her replacement.
James Braid, director of legislative affairs, is set to leave in September. Vice President JD Vance remarked that Braid “played a critical role in all of the administration’s achievements in Congress.” The position is significant, especially as tight congressional margins can make scheduling and securing votes major policy obstacles. Associated Press
White House counsel David Warrington’s succession plan is more defined. Staff secretary Will Scharf will take on the role of counsel on September 1, establishing a designated successor for legal review.
Deputy national security adviser Andy Baker is set to depart in the next few weeks. According to Axios, Mike Needham remains in the post of deputy national security adviser, with Cliff Sims handling responsibilities linked to Vice President Vance’s portfolio. Baker had previously focused on negotiations with Iran.
Emily Underwood, a senior aide to Stephen Miller, will join venture capital firm Trust Ventures. She was previously involved in domestic policy matters.
| Policy function | Departing official | Timing | Public transition status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communications | Karoline Leavitt | End-August | No replacement announced; will shift to advisory capacity |
| Congressional affairs | James Braid | September | No public announcement regarding successor |
| Legal review | David Warrington | September 1 | Will Scharf will take over |
| National security | Andy Baker | Coming weeks | Needham and Sims covering overlapping responsibilities |
| Domestic policy | Emily Underwood | Announced August 18 | Succession was not mentioned in the statement |
Investors differentiate between staff turnover and changes in policy direction. Two out of the five roles already have clear appointees or coverage by someone nearby. The other three remain without an announced successor, increasing the risk to execution but not indicating a reversal in policy.
Markets are drawing similar lines. By 05:23 EDT, Dow futures were up 0.33%, S&P 500 futures climbed 0.39%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.75%. The primary drivers were technology earnings and inflation figures.
No exits from the Treasury Department or the main White House economic team have been confirmed within this group. This restricts any immediate impact on rates, the dollar, and overall equities.
Risks: The signal could deteriorate if vacancies delay fall funding negotiations, hinder sanctions enforcement, or impede legal assessments. An exit from the economic team would provide a clearer pathway to markets. Smooth transitions would reduce the impact of the present turnover.
The upcoming test is now underway. Scharf is set to hand over responsibilities on September 1, while Braid departs in September, coinciding with Congress’s return and a tightening midterm schedule.
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