Trump's 'junkyard dog' has quietly 'kept Republicans in lockstep': WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the announcement of new fuel economy standards, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

President Donald Trump's second term has been largely defined by Republican majorities in Congress working in near-unison to ram through his policies. Much of that can be credited to White House deputy chief of staff James Blair.

That's according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, which reported on Blair's quiet but significant influence on the Trump administration as one of his main enforcers on Capitol Hill. During a December photo shoot for Vanity Fair, Blair was one of several administration officials featured alongside Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, among others. He described himself to the outlet as the administration's "junkyard dog."

"Blair has, so far, mostly kept Republicans in lockstep behind Trump," wrote the Journal's Josh Dawsey. "He helped secure passage of Trump’s tax-and-spending package, limiting GOP defections and winning the support of [House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy] Harris and other conservatives."

The 36 year-old Blair is, according to Dawsey responsible for everything from "cajoling lawmakers, enforcing loyalty to Trump, shaping the president’s messaging on healthcare and the economy, and orchestrating the White House’s strategy for next year’s midterm elections." He's also had such an influence on Republicans' efforts to carry out unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House of Representatives districts that some White House staffers refer to the effort as "Blairymandering," per Dawsey's report.

"The president relies on him tremendously," White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought told the Journal.

Blair came to the White House by way of Wiles. Both of the Florida-based political operatives previously worked for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) before being driven out in 2019. Blair then worked for Trump's 2024 campaign, where he began his duties by helping the campaign go on the offensive against DeSantis. He has now "embraced the role of 'bad cop'" according to the Journal, being the chief administration official responsible for issuing veiled threats to Republican lawmakers considering publicly bucking the president or voting against his agenda.

"Blair’s tactics have rankled some on Capitol Hill," Dawsey reported. "Members have privately complained about how the White House doesn’t seem to understand Congress is a coequal branch of government. Some Republicans have announced retirements rather than face re-election, and others are considering retirement, senior Hill Republicans said."

Click here to read Dawsey's full report in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

From Your Site Articles