Encyclopedia · Organization
Office of Presidential Personnel
White House office for presidential political appointments
Organization details
- Location
- White House Office, Executive Office of the President
- Function
- Recruitment and vetting for presidential appointments
- Historical director
- John McEntee (2020–2021)
The White House Office of Presidential Personnel manages personnel appointments made by the U.S. president.
Responsibilities
The Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO) oversees recruitment and selection for presidential appointments in executive agencies, including the coordination of clearances and Senate-submitted nominations.
First Trump administration and later transition planning
John McEntee directed PPO during the later first Trump administration. In 2023 the Heritage Foundation announced that McEntee had become an adviser to the privately organized Project 2025 personnel database. That database was not the official White House personnel office.
References
Research compiled through November 12, 2026. Sources and historical roles are dated where known.