The White House has placed senior budget analyst and funding manager Benjamin Ellisten on administrative leave following the release of undercover video footage by activist James O’Keefe and the O’Keefe Media Group. The secretly recorded footage captured Ellisten sharply criticizing President Donald Trump and expressing frustration regarding administration decision-making processes.
In footage released on Monday, Ellisten allegedly made derogatory remarks about President Trump, characterizing executive decisions as erratic and describing administration operations in critical terms. A White House official confirmed to reporters that Ellisten was placed on administrative leave while an internal review is conducted. The official clarified that Ellisten had no direct access to the president or senior staff and did not work on the White House campus, emphasizing that the views expressed do not reflect the administration’s workforce.
Here's a White House staffer on camera saying “We have to get rid of Trump… he’s invincible… nothing can stop him. And that’s dangerous.” https://t.co/1k8uOjtO1m pic.twitter.com/9RDKsfEUY0
— Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) May 12, 2026
Allegations and Internal Process Disclosures
During the secretly filmed conversation, Ellisten raised questions regarding executive decision-making and speculated on energy policy decisions in connection with global oil markets. The undercover report also featured comments from Maxim Lott, a special assistant to the president on the Domestic Policy Council. In the footage, Lott described internal decision-making processes as informal, noting that lower-level officials sometimes advance policy recommendations based on their interpretation of the administration’s political objectives.
Staff Defense and Federal Personnel Scrutiny
Following the publication of the video, Lott issued a statement defending his remarks, asserting that his comments were taken out of context during an informal social interaction and maintaining that he remains fully committed to executing the administration’s policy agenda. Lott has not been placed on administrative leave. The episode highlights ongoing scrutiny of executive branch personnel and political appointments as investigative groups continue to focus on internal governance and policy implementation within federal agencies.
