Trump Said to Choose Justin Clark to Lead Public Liaison Office

(Bloomberg) -- A White House official has been selected to head the office responsible for mobilizing outside interest groups to support President Donald Trump’s goals, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Justin Clark, currently the director of intergovernmental affairs for the White House, will lead Trump’s Office of Public Liaison.

Clark will be at least the third person to lead the office since Trump was inaugurated. Former director George Sifakis left the White House last year. Trump announced last month that Johnny DeStefano, counselor to the president, would oversee the office along with providing oversight for the personnel office and the political affairs shop. DeStefano will continue in his other roles.

Clark, a 42-year-old lawyer from Connecticut, is viewed within the White House as a sharp political operative who understands grassroots politics and public policy, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The administration plans to make greater use of the office of public liaison, using it as a point of contact for business leaders, special interest groups and others that can help Trump build coalitions, the person said.

Under President Barack Obama, the post was an influential center of power within the White House occupied by his close friend Valerie Jarrett.

Axios reported Clark’s selection earlier Tuesday.

To contact the reporters on this story: Toluse Olorunnipa in Washington at tolorunnipa@bloomberg.net, Jennifer Jacobs in Washington at jjacobs68@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Mike Dorning, John Harney

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