Republican National Committee general counsel Charlie Spies is parting ways with the party staff just months after taking the job. He was “fired,” according to a source familiar with the move.
“Charlie addressed potential time commitment conflicts with RNC Chief of Staff Chris LaCivita and it was agreed that while we value and appreciate Charlie’s experience and professionalism, he cannot fulfill this role full-time and still maintain his commitments to the law firm. . has spent years successfully building,” RNC spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez initially told NBC News.
Spies did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday night.
NBC News previously reported Spies was hired in March to lead the committee’s legal affairs amid an overhaul of RNC leadership, with former President Donald Trump confirming Michael Whatley to lead the organization, effectively reshaping the committee in his image.
The spies were previously described by one campaign official as “the best at what they do, know the FEC loopholes better than anyone,” but “a gun for hire.”
However, Spies was no fan of the former president.
He previously worked for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the GOP primary. The longtime Republican lawyer is known for expanding the use of super PACs after the Citizens United decision.
The spies were also behind The right to ascendThe super PAC that Jeb Bush used during the 2016 cycle was a record breaker 100 million dollars a few months before he officially announced his candidacy. Spies filed a complaint against the Trump Organization with the Federal Election Commission in 2015 while serving as a super PAC.
Spies also worked with U.S. Representative John James and participated in Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign.
His wife, prominent GOP fundraiser Lisa Spies, works for the campaign, leading donor coalitions. Before Lisa Spies joined the Trump campaign, she was a fundraiser for DeSantis.
A general counsel is being hired Whatley arrived when he took the helm of the organization in March. Whatley is handpicked Co-chaired by Trump and the former president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.
Whatley’s RNC chair predecessor, Ronna McDaniel, resigned after the former president faced internal party criticism and public skepticism.
Spies has previously rejected election conspiracy theories put forward by Trump allies.
Spies in 2021 clearly contradictory false claims that voting machines alter votes. Asked at a Conservative Political Action Conference panel what he would do about voting machines altering votes, he pushed back. a fake conspiracy theory Supported by Trump’s allies.
“I can walk away from the stage for this, but I have to say it’s just not true. There’s no evidence that it’s true,” Spies said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.