Britt McHenry is taking her media career into government, joining the State Department as a Press Advisor. The former ESPN reporter brings nearly two decades of on-camera experience to the role.
What We Know: McHenry has spent much of her career covering sports and news across television and digital media. She previously worked at local television stations in Washington, D.C., before joining ESPN as a reporter. After leaving ESPN, she continued building a media career that included work with The Spectator and Real America’s Voice. McHenry also returned to Washington television during her career, adding further experience covering news and politics. Her move to the State Department now shifts that experience from covering public affairs to helping communicate them.
What They Said: “I am beyond excited to start this new chapter today and am thankful to every person who helped me in pursuing and achieving this opportunity. For 17 years, I have worked on camera covering the news. Now, I get to take that experience and apply it to our country’s highest diplomatic agency.” -Britt McHenry
What Remains Unclear: The State Department hasn’t publicly detailed McHenry’s specific responsibilities or which officials and offices she’ll directly support. It’s also unclear whether she’ll maintain any outside media commitments as she begins the new role.
What It Means: McHenry’s appointment gives the State Department an advisor with extensive experience working in front of television cameras and across news platforms. Moreover, her background spans sports, political commentary, and digital media. That combination could prove useful as the department works to communicate its message across traditional and emerging media. The move also marks a notable transition for McHenry, who will now help shape the messaging she once spent her career reporting.
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