Kush Desai, a senior deputy press secretary in the White House, is set to leave the West Wing for a senior communications position at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), according to his confirmation to NewsNation.

Desai will assume the role of assistant director of national intelligence for strategic communications, departing next month. He is currently assisting in the search for his successor at the White House, as reported by Axios.

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The move comes amid leadership changes at the intelligence agency, with Jay Clayton having taken over as director of national intelligence in early August. Clayton succeeded Tulsi Gabbard, whose tenure was marked by controversy. Desai had been in discussions about the ODNI role since Clayton's confirmation, sources indicated.

During his time in the administration, Desai has been a prominent voice on economic and domestic policy, frequently addressing reporters on topics such as tariffs, inflation, prescription drug costs, and the Federal Reserve's actions.

Desai joined the White House at the start of President Trump's second term, having previously worked for the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Trump 2024 campaign. His prior roles include serving as the RNC's deputy battleground states communications director and as communications director for Pennsylvania, as well as leading communications for the Iowa Republican Party.

He rose through the ranks to become senior deputy press secretary and special assistant to the president, a position that placed him at the center of the administration's messaging efforts.

Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Desai, calling him "one of the smartest and hardest working people I've met in Washington," according to Axios.

In his new capacity, Desai will oversee strategic communications for the agency responsible for coordinating the U.S. intelligence community, a critical role as the ODNI navigates its post-Gabbard direction. His appointment is part of a broader effort to stabilize the agency's public outreach and internal messaging.