A growing number of staffers at the White House are starting to look for other jobs to leave the administration of Republican President Donald Trump due to low morale, uncertainty and continued infighting among aides, according to a new report. Staffers from the National Economic Council, the communications office and even political appointees are reaching […]
A growing number of staffers at the White House are starting to look for other jobs to leave the administration of Republican President Donald Trump due to low morale, uncertainty and continued infighting among aides, according to a new report.
Staffers from the National Economic Council, the communications office and even political appointees are reaching out to headhunters, lobbyists, and Republican operatives for help finding their next job, the Politico news organization reported Friday.
There will be a mass exodus from the Trump administration in January 2018 even though the one-year mark of Trump’s first term is still months away, a Republican lobbyist said.
“Everyone says, ‘I just need to stay for one year.’ If you leave before a year, it looks like you are acknowledging that you made a mistake,” he said.
Two Washington-based recruiters confirmed that they had received job requests from multiple White House staffers.
“There is no joy in Trumpworld right now,” said one adviser in frequent contact with several staffers. “Working in the White House is supposed to be the peak of your career, but everyone is unhappy, and everyone is fighting everyone else.”
White House political positions are notorious for causing burnout, with long hours and low pay in a high-stress, competitive environment, regardless of who is president. But turnovers typically begin after the two-year mark.
About 23 White House staffers have already resigned or been fired since January, including high-profile departures such as former chief of staff Reince Priebus, former chief strategist Steve Bannon and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
The constant departures and changes in leadership could make it difficult for the White House to attract Republicans or top policy experts for new job vacancies, said one executive recruiter.
It is likely that controversy over Trump’s policy positions will make it harder for people to find work in other industries.
“The question ultimately is whether people face a reputational risk by serving in this administration. Will it hurt people?” one Washington-based recruiter asked.
“Some people are a little nervous that corporations will hold their time in the Trump White House against them, particularly companies like Google or Uber or tech players,” said one GOP strategist.
