Trump promotes two with Arkansas ties in White House press office

This week, President Donald Trump promoted two staffers with Arkansas connections in the White House communications shop.

Hogan Gidley will serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary. Gidley will focus on issues related to the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State.

Judd Deere will serve as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Press Secretary. Deere will focus on issues related to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and regional issues.

Gidley and Deere have been with the White House since the first year of Trump’s current term. Gidley is a veteran of the Gov. Mike Huckabee administration. Deere served as press secretary for Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.