• by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, December 23, 2016

The same day that Trump announced the makeup of his press office, he named Kellyanne Conway counselor to the president, charged with overseeing messaging from the White House.

We may be in new territory on how the White House interacts with the press — and by extension the American people.

Former RNC communications director Sean Spicer has been named Press Secretary. After a satirically tinged intro, Spicer was pressed by Politico Playbook writers, Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman last Friday about how a Trump press office would conduct itself.

What was made clear: Trump’s administration will do things differently when it comes to coverage of and access to the president.

In a similar vein to what Spicer told Politico, Trump’s chief of staff Reince Priebus told conservative columnist Hugh Hewitt to expect change in the White House press office:

“The point of all of this conversation is that the traditions, while some of them are great, I think it’s time to revisit a lot of these things that have been done in the White House. I can assure you that change is going to happen, even on things that might seem boring like this topic.”

The “great” but “boring” traditions that Priebus speaks of are crucial to the president's accountability. The ability to ask questions directly to the Press Secretary on a daily basis keeps the administration in check. Live streams of the press briefings give American voters direct insight into the White House.

Voters will have little say in how Trump and Spicer organize their press operation. The White House Correspondents’ Association, however, will. The organization represents reporters on news coverage, access and travel with the president, as well as assigning seats in the press briefing room.

A Trump White House may try to circumvent the group, creating large question marks about transparency.

Other personnel that will officially join Trump in the White House include campaign press secretary Hope Hicks, who will serve as strategic communications director in the new administration. In her late 20s, Hicks is the only young woman in Trump’s inner circle of official advisers.

Jason Miller, another veteran from the Trump campaign, has been tapped for the role of communications director. Dan Scavino will continue his role running Trump’s social media as the White House social-media director.