Yes, Press Secretaries Lie. More Importantly, They Distract

How presidents hide behind their press secretaries, and why we are to blame

There’s an all-too familiar pattern during any presidential administration. The Commander-in-Chief selects a “Press Secretary,” whose primary responsibility — in theory — is to act as an official spokesman/woman/person for the executive branch.

In a daily briefing with our nation’s media, the Press Secretary is then charged with explaining the decisions of the administration, and answering any questions on policy. They’re a human-shaped window into the mind of the President of the United States.

Except…that’s all nonsense.

In reality, the White House Press Secretary has only one responsibility — and one that is crucial to maintaining the notion that the federal government has an ounce of ability. To lie.

Yes, they stand in front of the media and lie to the American people. These lies take various forms — lies of denial, fabrication, or omission — but the result is the same. They intentionally deceive the media, running constant defense for their employer.