Thursday 14 May 2026
07:45
Payne Griffin
The Trump Administration in Year 2: What is next from the U.S.?
In 2025, the world saw the impact of a Trump Administration who entered office better prepared. How has the Trump White House restructured the traditional decision-making process for the U.S. government and what implications do these changes have as the Administration begins its second year in office. What is the overarching strategy and how can that strategy help business leaders plan for continued economic disruption?
Payne is a Senior Director at FTI Consulting in Frankfurt where he advises clients on a range of policy and regulatory issues, including trade, national security, and global regulatory matters. During President Trump’s first term, Payne served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, playing a key role in shaping and implementing the Administration’s trade policy agenda. Payne was a member of the President’s transition team in 2016, contributing to the development of the Administration’s policy priorities.
During his decade of service to the U.S. Congress, Payne worked on key regulatory matters related to environmental and defense policy. Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Payne was Chief of Staff for Representative Dale Strong in the U.S. House of Representatives, a member of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, and advised Senator Mike Braun on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Senior Director, Lead International Trade and Regulatory Affairs
Payne is a Senior Director at FTI Consulting in Frankfurt where he advises clients on a range of policy and regulatory issues, including trade, national security, and global regulatory matters. During President Trump’s first term, Payne served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, playing a key role in shaping and implementing the Administration’s trade policy agenda. Payne was a member of the President’s transition team in 2016, contributing to the development of the Administration’s policy priorities.
During his decade of service to the U.S. Congress, Payne worked on key regulatory matters related to environmental and defense policy. Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Payne was Chief of Staff for Representative Dale Strong in the U.S. House of Representatives, a member of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, and advised Senator Mike Braun on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.