ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13283Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13283

Establishing the Office of Global Communications

This executive order creates a White House Office of Global Communications to coordinate U.S. government messaging to international audiences, ensuring consistency in promoting U.S. interests abroad. The Office advises the President and agencies on strategic communications, deploys temporary information teams to high-interest areas, and encourages use of modern media technology, but explicitly lacks authority to direct other agencies.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 3371

Key directives

  • Establish Office of Global Communications within White House Office
  • Appoint Deputy Assistant to the President for Global Communications
  • Assess methods and strategies for delivering information to audiences abroad
  • Coordinate formulation of messages reflecting strategic communications framework
  • Develop strategy for disseminating truthful, accurate, and effective messages about the U.S.
  • Create temporary teams of communicators for short-term placement in high-interest areas
  • Encourage use of state-of-the-art media and technology
  • Provide administrative support through Office of Administration

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Office of Global Communications established within White House Office
  • Deputy Assistant to the President position created

Near term (90d)

  • Assessment of U.S. government information delivery methods to begin
  • Coordination with agencies on messaging strategy development

Long term

  • Potential deployment of information teams to areas of high global interest
  • Ongoing advisory role on strategic communications framework

Risks & tensions

  • Explicitly denies Office authority to issue direction to agencies (Sec. 7(b)), creating reliance on voluntary coordination and presidential backing
  • Requires prior consultation with State and Defense, and notification to National Security Advisor before deploying teams abroad—potential for interagency friction or delay
  • Vague standard for 'areas of high global interest and media attention' gives Office broad discretionary power
  • National security coordination requirements may slow responsive communications
  • 'Truthful, accurate, and effective' messaging mandate raises questions about who determines accuracy when policy itself is contested
Executive Order 13283: Establishing the Office of Global Communications · Executive Orders