Two senior Trump advisers worked in Republika Srpska in the final days before Bosnia and Herzegovina’s general election. James Blair and Chris LaCivita reportedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars each for election-related consulting.
The Trump advisers in Republika Srpska worked through a Washington law firm hired by the entity government. The New York Times reported that four people familiar with the trip confirmed their presence ahead of the October 4 vote.
Two sources familiar with the arrangement said Blair and LaCivita each received hundreds of thousands of dollars. They advised the Republika Srpska government rather than signing contracts directly with the ruling SNSD.
The Republika Srpska government did not respond to questions about their work or payments, according to the report.
The timing drew attention because both advisers also hold major roles in Trump’s political operation. They traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina as Republicans prepared for the November congressional elections in the United States.
Who Are Trump Advisers James Blair and Chris LaCivita?
Blair played a major role in Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign. He served as political director and later became deputy White House chief of staff.
Before joining Trump’s senior team, Blair worked in Florida politics. His experience included work with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Trump’s 2020 campaign.
Blair later left his White House position to focus on the 2026 midterm elections. He now plays a leading role in Trump’s political operation.
LaCivita has a much longer career in Republican politics. He has worked on congressional, Senate and presidential campaigns for decades.
He gained national attention during the 2004 presidential campaign through his work with Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The group challenged Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry’s military record.
LaCivita later worked on numerous Republican campaigns. In 2024, he served as one of Trump’s campaign managers alongside Susie Wiles.
Today, Blair and LaCivita are involved with MAGA Inc., the super PAC supporting Trump. Blair leads the political operation, while LaCivita serves as a senior adviser.
Republika Srpska Expands Lobbying in Washington
The work of the Trump advisers in Republika Srpska comes amid a wider lobbying campaign in Washington.
Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show that the Republika Srpska government has paid more than $4 million to Trump-linked lobbyists and political operatives since the beginning of last year, according to the NYT report.
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is among the figures who have worked with the Republika Srpska authorities. His firm has received around $1.3 million since March last year, according to lobbying disclosures cited in regional reports.
The lobbying effort expanded as Milorad Dodik and his political circle sought stronger ties with figures close to Trump.
Trump’s administration lifted U.S. sanctions against Dodik, members of his family and several associates in late 2025. Washington had previously imposed sanctions over actions that U.S. authorities said threatened Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order and the Dayton Peace Agreement.
The latest reports add another element to those growing political connections. They also show how two figures central to Trump’s U.S. political operation became involved in election-related consulting in the Balkans.
