VP Vance's Middle East advisor leaves White House for lobbying firm

Wesam Hassanein, who served as Vice President JD Vance's special advisor for the Middle East, has departed the White House to join a private sector consultancy, according to a report Monday. The move marks the latest personnel change within the administration as the US-Israeli offensive against Iran enters its fourth week.

New role in lobbying

Hassanein is taking on a position at Continental Strategy LLC, a lobbying firm founded by Carlos Trujillo, an ambassador during President Donald Trump's first term, Bloomberg Government reported. The vice president's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the departure.

Departure timing clarified

Hassanein told Bloomberg that he made the decision to leave the administration before the US and Israel launched their surprise offensive on Iran on Feb. 28. "I'm not leaving because I oppose the president's decision on Iran — I'm 100% supportive of President Trump's decision to deny Iran nuclear weapons," he said, adding: "We should have done what President Trump is doing years ago."

Gratitude for service

Describing his work for Vance and the federal government as "one of the greatest honors to serve the American people," Hassanein expressed appreciation for the vice president's trust. Of his new employer, he said: "Continental really, really stood out as family oriented, a family culture, with an excellent client base. They are in total lockstep with the administration, working to advance America First policies."