Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that people should “buckle up” for President-elect Trump’s second term in the White House since “we got a lot more coming your way.”
“I said this morning, if you are shocked or surprised by the appointment of Pete Hegseth last night as Secretary of Defense, buckle up baby, because it’s going, we got a lot more coming your way,” Spicer said during his Wednesday appearance on NewsNation’s show “The Hill.”
“And I think the policies, the people and the process are going to take Washington by storm,” he added.
Spicer, who served as Trump’s first press secretary during his first term in the White House, referenced the president-elect’s Tuesday pick of Hegseth, an Army veteran and a Fox News host, to be the next Defense secretary. On Wednesday, Trump picked Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to serve as his attorney general and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be his director of national intelligence, choices that have stunned lawmakers in Washington.
Spicer praised some of Trump’s recent choices for senior staff roles on Wednesday, including Taylor Budowich, who was picked to be the deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel.
“He’s a strong hand that understands messaging, and so he’ll continue to build this out,” Spicer said.
Spicer also penned an op-ed in The Hill, which was published Wednesday morning, where he shared a few tips for the next Trump press secretary, a high-profile role with multiple candidates in the mix.
“First, always have the most up-to-date information on what the president thinks on policy and personnel matters. Check in with him frequently and double-check if you have to. He is his own best spokesman,” Spicer wrote. “Despite what staff may say, the decision is always his, and the exact words communicating a decision or announcement are critical.”
He recommended hiring “loyal and smart staff” and emphasized understanding “the logistical needs of the media — they will appreciate it.”
Spicer advised the next press secretary to look beyond the legacy media reporters and engage with regional and local reporters. Additionally, he encouraged bringing on more independent reporters into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
“The Trump campaign did a great job of using independent media and long-form podcasts. Invite these folks into the fold. Hold calls with them. Have them attend briefings and call on them,” he wrote.
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group which also owns The Hill.
