Kush Desai, who served as a senior deputy press secretary at the White House, is moving to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for a senior communications position.
Desai, an Indian American former journalist, will serve as assistant director of national intelligence for strategic communications at the ODNI, according to Axios. The ODNI coordinates the work of the U.S. Intelligence Community and provides intelligence-related advice to the president.
“Today is my last day at the @WhiteHouse,” Desai posted on X Wednesday. “Working alongside some of the most dedicated and brilliant patriots under President Trump has been the honor of a lifetime. I’ll soon be joining the Office of the Director of National Intelligence,” he confirmed.
The transition follows the arrival of Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence. Desai had reportedly been in discussions about joining the ODNI since Clayton’s confirmation in early August.
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Before his departure, Desai was involved in the White House’s public messaging on a range of economic and domestic policy matters. He regularly handled questions from reporters concerning tariffs, inflation, prescription drug costs and the Federal Reserve.
Desai first joined the Trump administration at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term. He initially served as a deputy press secretary before moving into the senior deputy press secretary position and becoming a special assistant to the president.
His political communications career began before his White House appointment. Desai worked for the Republican National Committee and was part of Trump’s 2024 campaign.
At the RNC, he served as deputy battleground states and Pennsylvania communications director. He also held the position of communications director for the Iowa Republican Party.
Desai has also been involved in the White House transition process, helping look for the person who will take over his responsibilities as he prepares to leave, Axios reported.
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Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Desai during the transition, describing him as “one of the smartest and hardest working people I’ve met in Washington,” according to Axios.
His move comes shortly after Clayton assumed leadership of the ODNI following the resignation of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
At the ODNI, Desai’s responsibilities will center on strategic communications, placing him in a senior public-facing position within the intelligence agency.
The move marks a new chapter in Desai’s government communications career after his work as one of the White House officials responsible for responding to reporters and communicating the administration’s positions on major domestic and economic issues.