Washington, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump has announced several key appointments to the White House Offices of Communications, Public Liaison, and Cabinet Affairs, with the new team being overseen by Deputy White House Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary, Taylor Budowich. These appointments are aimed at strengthening the administration’s communication and outreach efforts as well as ensuring coordination between key policy areas.
In the Communications Office, a number of prominent figures are joining the team:
- Alex Pfeiffer will return to the White House as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Communications Director. Previously, Pfeiffer served as a Communications Adviser for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign and Communications Director for MAGA Inc. He has also worked as an Investigative and Editorial Producer for Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight. His extensive experience in both media and political communications makes him a key asset to the team.
- Kaelan Dorr will serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Communications Director. Dorr has an impressive background in public affairs and strategic communications, having previously worked as Senior Advisor for Public Affairs at the Department of Treasury, Congressional Communications Director, and Strategic Communications Advisor in the Executive Office of the President during the Trump Administration. He also served as Senior Strategist and Spokesperson for MAGA Inc.
- Harrison Fields will return to the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary. He previously worked as Assistant Press Secretary during the Trump Administration and has also served as Senior Advisor to Congressman Byron Donalds. Fields’ vast experience in political communications and public relations makes him a valuable member of the team.
- Anna Kelly will join the White House as Deputy Press Secretary. She brings experience from her time as National Press Secretary for the Republican National Committee and Communications Director for Congressman Derrick Van Orden. Kelly has also worked on several high-profile political campaigns, including Michels for Governor and the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
- Kush Desai will serve as Deputy Press Secretary. Desai has held prominent roles in the Republican National Committee, including Deputy Battleground States & Pennsylvania Communications Director. He also worked as Deputy Communications Director for the 2024 Republican National Convention and as Communications Director for the Republican Party of Iowa.
- Ian Kelley will join as Special Assistant to the President and War Room Director. Prior to his appointment, Kelley served as War Room Director for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign and worked as Rapid Response Manager for the social media platform GETTR. His rapid response experience will be key in managing messaging during critical moments.
- Dylan Johnson will serve as Special Assistant to the President and Assistant Communications Director for Special Projects. Johnson previously worked as Deputy Director of Communications for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign and was Campaign Manager for the Greitens for U.S. Senate campaign. He also served as Executive Producer for Just The News.
- Sonny Joy Nelson will join as Special Assistant to the President and Media Affairs Director. Nelson previously held roles in communications with GETTR, Real America’s Voice, and the Republican National Committee. She brings a wealth of media relations expertise to this role.
- Dan Boyle will serve as the White House Director of Research. Boyle has extensive experience in political research, having previously been Research Director for Citizens United and a Research Analyst at the Government Accountability Institute. His expertise will be crucial for informing policy and communications strategies.
- Johanna Persing will join as Cabinet Communications Director. Persing has worked with the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign and previously served as Deputy Communications Director for the Republican National Committee and as Communications Director for Congressman Ryan Costello.
- Charyssa Parent will join as Congressional Communications Director. Parent brings years of experience, having worked as Communications Director for Senator Roger Marshall and Deputy Director of Communications for the House Republican Conference.
- Jacki Kotkiewicz will join as Policy Communications Director. Kotkiewicz has held senior roles in political communications, previously serving as Vice President at Argus Insight and as Director of Policy Research at the Republican National Committee.
- Jake Schneider will serve as Rapid Response Director. Schneider previously worked as Deputy Director of Rapid Response for the 2020 Trump campaign and as Communications Director and Press Secretary for Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach.
In the Office of Public Liaison, several key figures will take on leadership roles:
- Jim Goyer will return as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Liaison. Goyer has deep experience in political coordination, having previously served as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison during Trump’s first administration. He comes to the role from Goldman Sachs, where he worked in Asset and Wealth Management.
- Lynne Patton will serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Minority Outreach. Patton is known for her advocacy for underserved communities and for her work within the Trump Campaign. She previously served as Senior Advisor on the Trump Campaign and Regional Administrator at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she led efforts to reform public housing and champion housing rights.
- Brette Powell will return as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison. Powell has worked in the White House Management Office and the Advance Office during the Trump Administration and served as Director of Strategic Political Stakeholder Engagement for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign.
- Hailey Borden will return as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Business Outreach. Borden has experience working with the House Committee on Small Business and currently serves as Director of Business Coalitions for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
- Alex Flemister will return as Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Public Liaison. Flemister has worked on various campaigns and as Director of Office Appointments for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He is the Founder and President of The Flemister Group.
In the Cabinet Affairs Office, the following individuals will play key roles:
- Lea Bardon will join as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Cabinet Affairs. Bardon previously worked at the America First Policy Institute and played a role in President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.
- Thomas Bradbury will serve as Associate Director for Policy. Bradbury currently serves as Director of Advocacy and Policy at the American Conservative Union (CPAC).
- Cami Connor will return as Associate Director for Agency Outreach. Connor previously served in the first Trump administration and currently works in Government Operations at The Boeing Company.
These appointments reflect President Trump’s ongoing efforts to build a skilled and effective team to advance his policy agenda and enhance the communication and coordination across various offices.
