Trump's midterm strategists draw scrutiny over Russia-aligned work

President Trump threatened Wednesday to fire two of his top political consultants if he finds a conflict, after reports that they advised a Russia-aligned government ahead of local elections there. Why it matters: Chris LaCivita and James Blair are leading Republicans' midterm election strategy, putting their foreign consulting work in tension with their prominent roles in Trump's political operation. What they're saying: Trump called the pair "outside consultants" in a Truth Social post Wednesday. "They do not work for me, other than as outside consultants. They most likely have numerous clients, but for that, you would have to ask them. They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, D.C." "I do not have any idea who else they work for but will, on reflection, ask them and, if there's a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!" The other side: A source familiar with both consultants and the trip tells Axios that it was "a normal weekend full of calls and texts on the various races and our strategy/tactics in each." Context: The nationalist party warned that new voting machines could threaten its hold on power, echoing Trump's repeated attacks on voting machines in the U.S. A national election commission required the territory to use the new equipment. The source said Blair and LaCivita were there for about 48 hours to give "strategic advice on Election Integrity and what to look for to spot and avoid potential election fraud, because it was the first election where Republic of Srbska was forced to use new ballots and Smartmatic voting equipment…which obviously made them nervous." Between the lines: Caroline Wren, a registered lobbyist for Srpska, said the republic's abiding interest is in gaining stronger relations with Trump's administration. "It's not about Russia. It's not about Putin. It's about Christians who want their freedom and autonomy," Wren said. "The Trump Administration has made a huge priority of protecting and promoting Christians around the world and there is no better place to do that than the Pro-Trump Christians in the Republic of Sprska who have been demonized by the Europeans and Brussels for their Western values," she said. Blair and LaCivita were "maybe on the ground for 36 hours," she said, observing that she saw Blair constantly on the phone discussing elections back in the U.S. "Chris and James work around the clock to deliver wins for President Trump and Republicans here at home," she said. Zoom in: Blair, who previously served as White House deputy chief of staff, left the administration earlier this year to work for MAGA Inc., a super PAC affiliated with the president. He was also a senior adviser on Trump's 2024 campaign. LaCivita, the former co-manager of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, is a senior adviser at MAGA Inc. Catch up quick: LaCivita and Blair visited Republika Srpska, a semi-autonomous entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ahead of local elections, according to the New York Times. The two were reportedly recruited to advise the government on voting-related issues. They were hired to work for the government, not the nationalist party that controls it, though the party dominates the territory's government. Yes, but: American political consultants have a long history of taking on foreign clients. Zoom out: Trump's family businesses have expanded their foreign dealings since he returned to office. The Trump Organization and its partners have more than 20 Trump-branded projects planned, under construction or opening abroad — more than triple the number of overseas properties operating before his return. His administration accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar slated to eventually go to Trump's presidential library, while a UAE royal-linked firm bought a 49% stake in the Trump family's cryptocurrency business. Donald Trump Jr. had his wedding bankrolled by a Putin-linked Russian oligarch and later repaid him after public outrage. Go deeper: Trump's presidential profit machine bursts into the open

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