House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has lost another senior staff member, continuing a troubling exodus of senior staff in the speaker’s office.
Sources familiar with the matter told Breitbart News that Johnson’s chief of staff for communications, Raj Shah, will soon be leaving the Speaker’s office. Confirmed Axios reported Tuesday night after Breitbart News alerted Johnson’s office to the impending story.
Mr. Shah was one of Mr. Johnson’s first hires after becoming chairman. Mr. Shah has served as the chair’s key messages staff since he was hired in October, building the chair’s extensive communications staff almost from scratch.
When told of the report by Breitbart News late Tuesday night, Shah did not deny Johnson’s intention to resign, instead asking Breitbart to hold off on the story. Breitbart rejected his request.
Chief Press Secretary Raj Shah returns to the West Wing on February 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Shortly after Breitbart informed Shah of its intention to rescind the article, Axios published an article quoting Shah and Chairman Mike Johnson.
“Due to the unprecedented circumstances in which I became chair, we needed an experienced leader with talent and dignity to build and advance our message,” Johnson told Axios. “We are grateful that Raj has agreed to step up and serve. He has become a trusted advisor and has built his team with great communication. Raj is fulfilling his commitments to us. I wish him continued success.”
The team Shah had assembled began to fall apart. At least one communications staff member recently left the office under unclear circumstances.
source of information Confirmed Anang Mittal, who was Johnson’s head of digital, has resigned from his post due to unprofessional conduct following complaints about his performance in the workplace, Notus was told.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 17, 2024, about a proposal to send significant bipartisan aid to help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after weeks of inaction. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Earlier on Tuesday, Punchbowl News broke the news that three of Johnson’s senior policy staff would be leaving at the end of May.
After refusing to give a statement to Breitbart, Shah praised Johnson in a statement to Axios.
“It is an honor to serve Chairman Johnson, especially at such a historic time,” Shah told Axios. “He demonstrated great leadership in solving difficult problems at the conference. Speaker Johnson brings a true brand of strong leader who is willing to make tough demands and puts the country and the organization first. ”
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow us on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
