Katie Wiles, daughter of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, was seen at a shooting range holding a rifle alongside Željko Budimir, the interior minister of Republika Srpska. CBS News confirmed this image on Thursday. Republika Srpska is a self-governing, Serb-majority region within Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its political ties with Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
Continental Strategy, Wiles’ political lobbying firm, clarified her visit to the region in mid-August was for business purposes. A spokesperson stated that Wiles joined a U.S.-based company tasked with conducting a feasibility study in the area, providing strategic communications support. Wiles has been working with this company for over two years without involving any U.S. government officials regarding Srpska.
This development arises less than three weeks before the significant November 3 midterm elections that could decide control of the House and Senate. Reports suggest President Trump is evaluating changes in his staff, including Susie Wiles, although he has denied these speculations. The image featuring Katie Wiles with Budimir has led to questions about her identity and involvement in Republika Srpska.
The photograph appeared on Katie Wiles’ Instagram account, captioned “Mostly work + some serious fun!” and tagged with Republika Srpska. A CBS News screenshot identified Budimir, who has met with Putin and shown support for increased Russia-Serbia relations. The image gained attention when shared by Evi Kokalari, a conservative Albanian American activist, who expressed concerns about Susie Wiles’ involvement and potential conflicts of interest.
According to Kokalari, Katie Wiles has been involved with pro-Russian political figures such as Milorad Dodik, raising conflicts of interest concerns. Kokalari warned against Trump consulting Susie Wiles on matters related to Bosnia and Herzegovina. She referenced Željka Cvijanović’s visit to the White House, highlighting potential interference in foreign elections, suggesting Trump might lack awareness of these developments.
Who Is Katie Wiles?
Katie Wiles is the daughter of Susie Wiles and has a sister named Caroline. In her career, Katie Wiles has been active in politics, previously serving as the chief of communications for Jacksonville, Florida’s Mayor Lenny Curry. She is now a partner at Continental Strategy, a political lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., reportedly involved in Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Attempts to access Katie Wiles’ bio on Continental Strategy’s website returned a “page not found” error, although other staff profiles were accessible. For further comments, Newsweek reached out to the White House and Continental Strategy.