Schmitt Aide’s White House Move Halts After Senate Hearing Blunder
Ethan Harper, general counsel to Sen. Eric Schmitt, was expected to join the White House Staff Secretary’s office next week but that transition is now in doubt following a contentious Senate hearing. During the September 29 testimony of former special counsel Jack Smith, Schmitt publicly displayed text messages suggesting Smith conspired with Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis. The evidence failed to support the claim, leading to a viral embarrassment for the senator. While the move was planned before the hearing, the controversy has cast a shadow over Harper’s appointment.