What’s the difference?

The Office of the Press Secretary and the Office of Communications make up two parts of the White House’s communications apparatus but have distinct functions.

Office of the Press Secretary

  • For the White House Press Secretary, getting information to the press that is prompt, timely, and accurate is the key to success in the role.
  • The Office of the Press Secretary focuses on the day-to-day information flow between the White House and the press

Office of Communications

  • The Office of Communications focuses on the bigger picture – how information can shape and influence public opinion.
  • The Office of Communications deals in persuasion and driving messaging, initiatives, and priorities of the administration in a way that resonates with the American people, or specific communities, and increases support for the president. Their goal is to amplify messaging focusing on vehicles other than the press.


In short, the press office takes a more reactive role, while the communications office takes a more proactive role.