More Upheaval on Donald Trump’s Team as Two Staff Members Resign

Donald J. Trump’s campaign experienced two more departures this week when two staff members who handled surrogate operations resigned, including one who was hired less than two weeks ago. Kevin Kellems, who was hired on June 20 to oversee the campaign’s surrogate division — supporters on the team who defend Mr. Trump and promote his message publicly — resigned on Thursday,
and Erica Freeman, who similarly dealt with surrogates, also quit. In his resignation letter, which was shared with some staff members, Mr. Kellems acknowledged just how short his stint with the campaign had been.


 “While brief, it has been an interesting experience, and am proud of the contributions made through our early-phase project endeavors,” wrote Mr. Kellems, who advised former House Speaker Newt Gingrich during his 2012 presidential campaign and also served as the communications director for former Vice President Dick Cheney. He added: “Also have enjoyed meeting some fine and dedicated individuals throughout the organization. Look forward to running across several of you going forward.” Mr. Kellems was said to have been frustrated with the dysfunction of the campaign’s senior leadership.

Though Mr. Trump fired Corey Lewandowski, his divisive campaign manager, nearly two weeks ago, some close to the campaign remain irritated over what they view as the team’s pronounced struggles to overhaul its operation. Ms. Freeman had similarly found herself caught up in the chaos of the Trump operation. At one point, the turmoil spilled into public view when Mr. Trump publicly contradicted her on a conference call with surrogates.


In the call, reported by Bloomberg News, Mr. Trump referred to talking points Ms. Freeman had sent around — urging supporters to stop talking about a federal lawsuit against Trump University — and ordered, “Take that order and throw it the hell out.”


 The departures of the two aides underscore the disorder that continues in the Trump campaign, as the presumptive Republican nominee and his team struggle to grow into a professional, streamlined operation equipped to handle a general election against Hillary Clinton.

 On Thursday, the campaign also let go Vincent Harris, a digital consultant, who had similarly been hired less than a week before. The Trump campaign declined to comment, but an aide briefed on the departures said there would be “structural improvements” coming soon to the team.