President Trump Announces Appointments to the White House Offices of Communications, Public Liaison, and Cabinet Affairs

January 24, 2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Presidential Appointments: President Trump announced key appointments effective January 24, 2025, to lead the White House Offices of Communications, Public Liaison, and Cabinet Affairs.
Communications Team:
- Alex Pfeiffer: Deputy Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Communications Director; formerly served in Trump-Vance 2024 and on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
- Kaelan Dorr: Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Communications Director; returns with extensive experience from previous Trump Administration roles and strategic communications positions.
- Harrison Fields: Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary; brings previous press secretarial experience and advisory work at the Heritage Foundation.
- Anna Kelly and Kush Desai: Appointed as Deputy Press Secretaries; Kelly comes from a Republican National Committee background, while Desai returns with campaign and RNC experience.
- Additional Communications Roles:
  - Ian Kelley: Special Assistant and War Room Director; previously held a similar role for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign.
  - Dylan Johnson: Special Assistant and Assistant Communications Director for Special Projects; formerly involved in campaign communications and news production.
  - Sonny Joy Nelson: Special Assistant and Media Affairs Director; has a background with GETTR, the Republican National Committee, and related media operations.
  - Research and Strategy Appointments: Dan Boyle as White House Director of Research; Johanna Persing as Cabinet Communications Director; Charyssa Parent as Congressional Communications Director; Jacki Kotkiewicz as Policy Communications Director; and Jake Schneider as Rapid Response Director.
Office of Public Liaison:
- Jim Goyer: Returns as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Liaison; previously served in the first Trump Administration.
- Lynne Patton: New Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Minority Outreach; tasked with enhancing support among Blacks, Latinos, and Women, backed by extensive public housing and campaign experience.
- Brette Powell: Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison; experienced in strategic political stakeholder engagement from prior Trump campaigns.
- Hailey Borden: Special Assistant to the President and Director of Business Outreach; formerly worked on business coalitions for congressional leadership.
- Alex Flemister: Returns as Director of Strategic Initiatives; brings operational and campaign advisory experience.
Cabinet Affairs:
- Lea Bardon: Appointed as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Cabinet Affairs; comes from a background in development operations and campaign management.
- Thomas Bradbury: Associate Director for Policy; previously led advocacy and policy efforts at the American Conservative Union.
- Cami Connor: Returns as Associate Director for Agency Outreach; rejoining after serving in the first Trump Administration and bringing corporate government operations experience.

Risks & Considerations

The appointments to the White House Offices of Communications, Public Liaison, and Cabinet Affairs suggest a strong alignment with previous Trump administration policies. This could indicate a continuation of similar communication strategies and public engagement efforts, which may affect how federal policies are communicated and implemented.
The emphasis on minority outreach and business engagement could lead to shifts in federal funding priorities and policy focus areas. Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes could impact its diversity initiatives and partnerships with minority-serving organizations.
The focus on strategic initiatives and business outreach may present opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage with federal agencies and the White House on collaborative projects, particularly those that align with the administration’s priorities.
Changes in the communication and public liaison strategies could influence public perception and engagement with federal policies, potentially affecting the university’s advocacy efforts and policy influence.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations may need to adjust its strategies to align with the new communication and public liaison approaches, ensuring effective advocacy and engagement with federal policymakers.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion might find new opportunities to collaborate with federal initiatives focused on minority outreach and engagement, potentially enhancing the university’s diversity programs.
Vanderbilt’s Business School could explore partnerships with the Office of Public Liaison’s business outreach efforts, potentially leading to collaborative research and development projects.
The Department of Political Science may see increased interest in research and analysis of the administration’s communication strategies and their impact on public policy and governance.

Financial Impact

Potential shifts in federal funding priorities towards minority outreach and business engagement could impact grant opportunities and funding streams for Vanderbilt University, necessitating adjustments in grant application strategies.
Collaborative opportunities with federal agencies and the White House could lead to new funding sources for research and development projects, particularly those aligned with the administration’s strategic initiatives.
Changes in public perception and engagement with federal policies could influence donor behavior and philanthropic support for the university, particularly in areas related to diversity and inclusion.

Relevance Score: 3 (The appointments present moderate risks involving compliance or ethics, with potential impacts on university programs and funding opportunities.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Public Affairs should monitor the appointments to the White House Office of Communications and Public Liaison. Understanding the new communication strategies and public engagement approaches can help Vanderbilt align its messaging and outreach efforts with the current administration’s priorities.
The Center for Political Studies at Vanderbilt should analyze the implications of the new appointments on policy communication and public engagement. This analysis can provide insights into potential shifts in policy focus and public discourse, which can inform the university’s strategic planning and advocacy efforts.
Vanderbilt’s Diversity and Inclusion Office should engage with the Director of Minority Outreach to explore potential collaborations and initiatives that support minority communities. This engagement can enhance Vanderbilt’s efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within its programs and community outreach.
The Business School should consider establishing connections with the Director of Business Outreach to identify opportunities for collaboration on business-related initiatives and policy discussions. This can provide valuable networking opportunities and insights into the administration’s business policies.

Opportunities

The appointments present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Communication Department to study the impact of strategic communication roles in shaping public policy and opinion. This can lead to research opportunities and the development of new courses focused on political communication and media strategies.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on minority outreach by developing partnerships with the administration to support educational and community programs that benefit minority groups. This can enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation as a leader in diversity and community engagement.
The emphasis on business outreach offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Business School to engage in policy analysis and advocacy related to small business development and entrepreneurship. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the school can influence business policies and support economic growth.

Relevance Score: 3 (The appointments may require some adjustments to Vanderbilt’s communication and outreach strategies to align with the new administration’s priorities.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – The announcement does not specify any deadlines or timelines for implementing the appointments or directives.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

White House Office of Communications: This office is directly impacted as multiple new appointments are made to lead and support the President’s communications strategy.
White House Office of Public Liaison: The appointment of key officials to this office highlights its critical role in managing outreach and engagement efforts with diverse constituencies.
White House Office of Cabinet Affairs: The creation and staffing of this office emphasize its function in coordinating with the President’s Cabinet, thereby impacting internal government operations.

Relevance Score: 2 (The directive impacts 3 internal White House offices, placing it in the 3-5 agencies affected range.)

Responsible Officials

Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Public Liaison – Oversees the White House Offices of Communications and Public Liaison and ensures the newly appointed staff execute their roles effectively.
Cabinet Secretary Taylor Budowich – Oversees the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs, directing the activities and strategic operations of the office.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House and Cabinet officials, reflecting significant leadership implications).