The Counselor to the President is a high-ranking assistant to the President of the United States , and a senior member of the Executive Office of the President .
History
The position was created during the administration of Richard Nixon , where it was assigned cabinet-rank . The position would be considered at cabinet level until 1993.
During Nixon's presidency, no fewer than eight individuals held the position, with there sometimes being two or three "Counselors to the President."
During the presidency of Gerald Ford , the post was shared by Robert Hartmann and John O. Marsh .
The position was vacant during the Jimmy Carter administration, as Carter left many senior White House positions unfilled (such as White House Chief of Staff ) and preferred a smaller core of advisers.[1]
Edwin Meese held the position during the first term of President Ronald Reagan , and was highly influential inside the White House. Meese, White House Chief of Staff James Baker and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Michael Deaver were nicknamed "The Troika" and considered the most influential advisors to the president.[2]
Meese became Attorney General during Reagan's second term as president and the position was left vacant.
The position was left vacant in the first three years of President George H.W. Bush 's term. In 1992 it was filled by Clayton Yeutter after he resigned as chairman of the Republican National Committee .
During the Bill Clinton administration, the post became much more focused on communications. Two of Clinton's counselors, David Gergen and Paul Begala , later became CNN political analysts.
During the administration of George W. Bush , the Counselor oversaw the Communications, Media Affairs, Speechwriting, and Press Offices.[3]
Under the Obama Administration , the position was initially abolished and the duties of the office transferred to three senior advisors: David Axelrod ,[4] [5] Pete Rouse ,[5] [6] and Valerie Jarrett ,[7] who also held the title Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison.[5] On January 6, 2011, President Obama appointed Rouse as Counselor to the President where he was responsible for assisting the President and White House Chief of Staff with the day-to-day management of White House staff operations.[8] [9] John Podesta was the last person to hold the position before he left to join the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign of 2016 as chairman.[10]
Soon after the 2016 election, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to have Stephen Bannon serve as his senior counselor. Bannon will also have the additional title of "chief strategist."[11]
List of Counselors to the President
President Reagan holds an oval office staff meeting on his first full day in office. Front left, Counselor to the President Edwin Meese.
"The Troika ". From left to right: White House Chief of Staff James Baker, Counselor to the President Ed Meese and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver at the White House, December 2, 1981.
Counselor to the President Karen Hughes and First Lady Laura Bush , June 28, 2002.
Counselor to the President Dan Bartlett delivering a briefing on President George W. Bush's State of the Union Message, February 3, 2005.
Counselor to the President Ed Gillespie (right) and Chief of Staff to the Vice President David Addington review a document, December 5, 2007.
Counselor to the President Pete Rouse , White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Vice President Joe Biden talk with President Barack Obama , April 2, 2013.
Counselor to the President John Podesta meets with President Obama in the Oval Office, Jan. 29, 2015.
Counselor
Term of office
Party
President
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Arthur F. Burns (1904–1987)
January 20, 1969 – November 5, 1969
Republican
Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Pat Moynihan (1927–2003)
November 5, 1969[12] – December 31, 1970[13]
Democratic
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Bryce Harlow (1916–1987)
November 5, 1969[12] – December 9, 1970[14]
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Robert Finch (1925–1995)
June 23, 1970[15] – December 15, 1972[16]
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Donald Rumsfeld (born 1932)
December 11, 1970[17] – October 15, 1971[17]
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Anne Armstrong (1927–2008)
January 19, 1973 – December 18, 1974
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Dean Burch (1927–1991)
March 8, 1974[18] – December 31, 1974[19]
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Kenneth Rush (1910–1994)
May 29, 1974[20] – September 19, 1974[21]
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Robert Hartmann[22] (1917–2008)
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
Republican
Gerald Ford (1974–1977)
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
John O. Marsh (born 1926)
August 9, 1974[23] – January 20, 1977[24]
Democratic
Vacant
Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Edwin Meese (born 1931)
January 20, 1981 – February 25, 1985
Republican
Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
Vacant
George H.W. Bush (1989–1993)
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Clayton Yeutter
Clayton Yeutter (born 1930)
February 1, 1992 – January 20, 1993
Republican
Vacant
Bill Clinton (1993–2001)
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
David Gergen (born 1942)
May 29, 1993 – June 10, 1994
Republican
Vacant
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Bill Curry (born 1951)
February 21, 1995 – January 20, 1997
Democratic
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Paul Begala (born 1961)
August 17, 1997[25] – March 10, 1999
Democratic
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Ann Lewis (born 1937)
March 10, 1999 – January 20, 2001
Democratic
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Karen Hughes (born 1956)
January 20, 2001 – July 8, 2002
Republican
George W. Bush (2001–2009)
Vacant
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Dan Bartlett (born 1971)
January 5, 2005 – July 5, 2007
Republican
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Ed Gillespie (born 1961)
July 5, 2007 – January 20, 2009
Republican
Vacant
Barack Obama (2009–2017 )
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Pete Rouse (born 1946)
January 13, 2011 – January 1, 2014
Democratic
style="background:Template:Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
John Podesta (born 1949)
January 1, 2014 – February 13, 2015
Democratic
Vacant
style="background:Template:Republican Party (United States)/meta/color ;"|
Steve Bannon (born 1953)
January 20, 2017
Republican
Donald Trump (2017)
References
Office Name Term Office Name Term White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel 2009–10 National Security Advisor James L. Jones 2009–10 Pete Rouse 2010–11 Thomas E. Donilon 2010–13 William M. Daley 2011–12 Susan Rice 2013–17 Jack Lew 2012–13 Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas E. Donilon 2009–10 Denis McDonough 2013–17 Denis McDonough 2010–13 White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Mona Sutphen 2009–11 Antony Blinken 2013–14 Nancy-Ann DeParle 2011–13 Avril Haines 2015–17 Rob Nabors 2013–15 Dep. National Security Advisor, Homeland Security John O. Brennan 2009–13 White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Jim Messina 2009–11 Lisa Monaco 2013–17 Alyssa Mastromonaco 2011–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Iraq and Afghanistan Douglas Lute † 2009–13 Anita Decker Breckenridge 2014–17 Dep. National Security Advisor, Strategic Comm. Ben Rhodes 2009–17 White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning Mark B. Childress 2012–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff Mark Lippert 2009 Kristie Canegallo 2014–17 Denis McDonough 2009–10 Counselor to the President Pete Rouse 2011–13 Brooke D. Anderson 2011–12 John Podesta 2014–15 White House Communications Director Ellen Moran 2009 Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod 2009–11 Anita Dunn 2009 David Plouffe 2011–13 Daniel Pfeiffer 2009–13 Daniel Pfeiffer 2013–15 Jennifer Palmieri 2013–15 Shailagh Murray 2015–17 Jen Psaki 2015–17 Senior Advisor to the President Pete Rouse 2009–10 Deputy White House Communications Director Jen Psaki 2009–11 Brian Deese 2015–17 Jennifer Palmieri 2011–14 Senior Advisor to the President and Valerie Jarrett 2009–17 Amy Brundage 2014–16 Assistant to the President for Liz Allen 2016–17 Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs 2009–11 Director, Public Engagement Tina Tchen 2009–11 Jay Carney 2011–13 Jon Carson 2011–13 Josh Earnest 2013–17 Paulette L. Aniskoff 2013–17 Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton 2009–11 Director, Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz 2009–12 Josh Earnest 2011–13 David Agnew 2012–14 Eric Schultz 2014–17 Jerry Abramson 2014–17 Director of Special Projects Stephanie Cutter 2010–11 Director, National Economic Council Lawrence Summers 2009–10 Director, Speechwriting Jon Favreau 2009–13 Gene Sperling 2011–14 Cody Keenan 2013–17 Jeff Zients 2014–17 Director, Digital Strategy Macon Phillips 2009–13 Chair, Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer 2009–10 Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman 2015–17 Austan Goolsbee 2010–13 Director, Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro 2009–11 Jason Furman 2013–17 Rob Nabors 2011–13 Chair, Economic Recovery Advisory Board Paul Volcker 2009–11 Katie Beirne Fallon 2013–16 Chair, Council on Jobs and Competitiveness Jeff Immelt 2011–13 Miguel Rodriguez 2016 Director, Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes 2009–12 Amy Rosenbaum 2016–17 Cecilia Muñoz 2012–17 Director, Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard 2009–11 Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Joshua DuBois 2009–13 David Simas 2011–16 Melissa Rogers 2013–17 Director, Presidential Personnel Nancy Hogan 2009–13 Director, Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle 2009–11 Johnathan D. McBride 2013–14 Director, Office of National AIDS Policy Jeffrey Crowley 2009–11 Valerie E. Green 2014–15 Grant N. Colfax 2011–13 Rodin A. Mehrbani 2016–17 Douglas M. Brooks 2013–17 White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown 2009–11 Director, Office of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrión Jr. 2009–10 Rajesh De 2011–12 Racquel S. Russell 2010–14 Douglas Kramer 2012–13 Roy Austin Jr. 2014–17 Joani Walsh 2014–17 Director, Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner 2009–11 Director, Management and Administration Bradley J. Kiley 2009–11 White House Counsel Greg Craig 2009–10 Katy A. Kale 2011–15 Bob Bauer 2010–11 Maju Varghese 2015–17 Kathryn Ruemmler 2011–14 Director, Scheduling and Advance Alyssa Mastromonaco 2009–11 Neil Eggleston 2014–17 Danielle Crutchfield 2011–14 White House Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu 2009–13 Chase Cushman 2014–17 Danielle C. Gray 2013–14 Director, White House Information Technology David Recordon 2015–17 Broderick D. Johnson 2014–17 Director, Office of Administration Cameron Moody 2009–11 Personal Aide to the President Reggie Love 2009–11 Beth Jones 2011–15 Brian Mosteller 2011–12 Cathy Solomon 2015–17 Marvin D. Nicholson 2012–17 Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren 2009–17 Director, Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller 2012–17 Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra 2009–12 Personal Secretary to the President Katie Johnson 2009–11 Todd Park 2012–14 Anita Decker Breckenridge 2011–14 Megan Smith 2014–17 Ferial Govashiri 2014–17 Director, Office of Management and Budget Peter R. Orszag 2009–10 Chief of Staff to the First Lady Jackie Norris 2009 Jack Lew 2010–12 Susan Sher 2009–11 Jeff Zients 2012–13 Tina Tchen 2011–17 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013–14 White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers 2009–10 Brian Deese 2014 Julianna Smoot 2010–11 Shaun Donovan 2014–17 Jeremy Bernard 2011–15 Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra 2009–11 Deesha Dyer 2015–17 Steven VanRoekel 2011–14 Chief of Staff to the Vice President Ron Klain 2009–11 Tony Scott 2015–17 Bruce Reed 2011–13 United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk 2009–13 Steve Ricchetti 2013–17 Michael Froman 2013–17 White House Chief Usher Stephen W. Rochon † 2009–11 Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske 2009–14 Angella Reid 2011–17 Michael Botticelli 2014–17 Director, White House Military Office George Mulligan 2009–13 Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley 2009–14 Emmett Beliveau 2013–15 Michael Boots 2014–15 Dabney Kern 2016–17 Christy Goldfuss 2015–17
Position Appointee Chief of Staff to the Vice President Steve Ricchetti Counsel to the Vice President Cynthia Hogan Counselor to the Vice President Mike Donilon Assistant to the Vice President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison Evan Ryan Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Communications Shailagh Murray Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President Shailagh Murray Deputy National Security Adviser to the Vice President Brian P. McKeon Residence Manager and Social Secretary for the Vice President and Second Lady Carlos Elizondo National Security Adviser to the Vice President Colin Kahl