Chris Meagher Explained

Chris Meagher
Office:	Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
President:	Joe Biden
Term Start:	September 9, 2022
Predecessor:	John Kirby
Office1:	White House Deputy Press Secretary
President1:	Joe Biden
Term Start1:	March 1, 2021
Term End1:	September 2022
Leader1:	Jen Psaki Karine Jean-Pierre
Alongside1:	Karine Jean-Pierre & Andrew Bates
Predecessor1:	TJ Ducklo
Successor1:	Emilie Simons
Party:	Democratic
Education:	Michigan State University (BA) Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law (JD)

Chris Meagher is an American political advisor serving as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs under Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He was appointed on September 9, 2022.^[1] He previously served as a White House Deputy Press Secretary in the Biden administration beginning March 1, 2021, succeeding TJ Ducklo. He also served as a senior public affairs official for Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Early life and education

A native of Michigan, Meagher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Michigan State University. He then earned a Juris Doctor from the Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law.^[5]

Career

Meagher began his career as a journalist, working for WILX-TV, The State News, The Modesto Bee, the Santa Barbara Daily Sound, and the Santa Barbara Independent. He then became the communications director for Congresswoman Lois Capps.^[6] Meagher was also a communications manager for General Motors and served as a senior communications advisor for the Colorado Democratic Party and Montana Democratic Party.^[7] In 2018, Meagher worked on Senator Jon Tester's re-election campaign as communications director. From March to June 2020, Meagher was briefly a communications advisor for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.^{[8] [9]}

Meagher previously worked as the national press secretary for the Pete Buttigieg 2020 presidential campaign and joined the United States Department of Transportation as deputy director of public affairs in February 2021 after Buttigieg was confirmed as secretary.^{[10] [11]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Appointment of Chris Meagher . 2022-09-09 . U.S. Department of Defense . en-US.
2. Web site: Lippman. Daniel. Biden considers elevating Mayor Pete's spokesperson. 2021-03-09. POLITICO. 26 February 2021 . en.
3. Web site: 2019-08-06. Meet Chris Meagher: Alum and Pete Buttigieg's National Press Secretary. 2021-03-09. The Colleges of Law. en-US.
4. News: Viser. Matt. Chris Meagher joins White House press office. en-US. Washington Post. 2021-03-09. 0190-8286.
5. Web site: Luning. Ernest. Former spokesman for Colorado Democrats joins White House press office. live. 2021-03-09. Colorado Politics. 2 March 2021 . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302130607/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/colorado-in-dc/former-spokesman-for-colorado-democrats-joins-white-house-press-office/article_58769236-7af6-11eb-bc65-3b03ef9c9e6d.html . 2021-03-02 .
6. Web site: Mar 04. Indy Staff Thu. 2021 12:02am. 2021-03-04. Chris Meagher Takes the White House. 2021-03-09. The Santa Barbara Independent. en-US.
7. Web site: Montana Dems name new communications director with eye on 2018 - Missoula Current. 2021-03-09. missoulacurrent.com. 20 March 2017 .
8. Web site: Whitmer brings on ex-Buttigieg aide as profile rises. 2021-03-09. www.deadlinedetroit.com.
9. Web site: Burke. Melissa Nann. White House hires former Whitmer aide as deputy press secretary. 2021-03-09. The Detroit News. en-US.
10. Web site: Campaigning Takes A Negative Turn In Closing Days Of New Hampshire Race. 2021-03-09. NPR.org. en.
11. Web site: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Additional Biden Appointees Ready to Work on Behalf of the American People US Department of Transportation. 2021-03-09. www.transportation.gov.