Boston Herald

SPICER EYES A NEW ROLE

Looking to step away from W.H. podium

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WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Sean Spicer is seeking to take on a more strategic role that would give him a limited presence in the daily press briefings that have made him a prominent face of the Trump administra­tion.

A senior administra­tion official and three people familiar with the potential changes said yesterday Spicer has discussed taking a more senior communicat­ions role at the White House. The three people said he has reached out to possible successors at the podium and as communicat­ions director.

“We have sought input from many people as we look to expand our communicat­ions operation. As he did in the beginning, Sean Spicer is managing both the communicat­ions and press office,” said Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a deputy White House press secretary. She declined further comment on the potential changes.

Discussion­s about overhaulin­g the White House communicat­ions office have been ongoing for several weeks, according to the senior administra­tion official. Spicer’s preference is to step away from the press briefings entirely, though other configurat­ions have also been discussed.

It’s unclear how quickly a decision will be made, and, as with all things involving President Trump, the situation could change. Major staffing shake-ups have been a constant subject of conversati­on at the White House, but have failed to materializ­e in recent weeks, aside from the departure of communicat­ions director Mike Dubke in early June.

The White House has consulted an array of Republican­s and Trump allies, including Laura Ingraham, the conservati­ve radio host and political commentato­r. However, Ingraham is not expected to take the press secretary position.

David Martosko, the U.S. political editor of London’s Daily Mail, who covered the president’s campaign, has also interviewe­d for senior communicat­ions jobs, according to a person familiar with the interviews.

The possible changes for Spicer were first reported by Bloomberg News and Politico.

Spicer’s public role has already diminished in recent weeks. The White House has increasing­ly tapped Cabinet officials and other White House advisers to address reporters on camera and moved to take some of the daily briefings off cable television to keep the focus on Trump.

 ?? AP PHOTOS ?? CHANGES? Press secretary Sean Spicer, above, is rumored to be stepping away from the podium for good. Deputy secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, right, said the White House is expanding its communicat­ions operations.
AP PHOTOS CHANGES? Press secretary Sean Spicer, above, is rumored to be stepping away from the podium for good. Deputy secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, right, said the White House is expanding its communicat­ions operations.
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