Trump administration hires another college senior for key role

A 22-year-old Iowa State University senior set to graduate in May has been hired for a key position in the Trump administration.

Anthony Labruna is set to start on Monday as a deputy White House liaison at the Department of Commerce, the secretary’s office confirmed to The Hill on Friday.

In a statement, the Commerce secretary’s office said it is “looking forward to Anthony joining the Department of Commerce,” calling him “the right man for the job.”

News of the hiring was first reported by Politico. Politico reported that some officials have expressed dismay over Labruna’s hiring, saying they are “pretty concerned” he may lack experience. 

The Department of Commerce says the Office of the White House liaison helps oversee the appointment of top officials to vacancies in the department and helps with special reports and projects. His role will bear some influence, but not the level of authority as a senior administration official. 

The hiring follows the recent hiring of 23-year-old George Washington University senior James Bacon to a top role in the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office.

Labruna and Bacon were reportedly tapped in part by John McEntee, Trump’s former personal assistant who was fired in 2018 and recently rehired to head up the office.  

McEntee, the president’s longtime body man, is tasked with vetting presidential appointments and recruiting candidates to work across various White House agencies. The office is responsible for thousands of lower-level appointees, as well.

Labruna was reportedly a paid staffer on Trump’s 2020 Iowa campaign and is a member of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans (IFCR). In a post on the IFCR Facebook page, Labruna was listed as its vice chairman in 2019 as well as a clerk for state Rep. Jarad Klein (R).

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Updated March 9, 12:24 p.m.