During the March 21st press briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed that Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump and wife of Jared Kushner (senior advisor to the POTUS) will be transitioning to some type of new role. Spicer noted that on the advise of counsel, Ivanka is taking all steps to ensure the highest level of ethical behavior, that she is not a federal employee, but that she has plans to meet all restrictions in place as if she were in a paid position.

That said, the type of engagement in activities by the President's daughter is still an unknown.

The past precedence

Past presidential families have been engaged on multiple levels with sitting Presidents. Most recently, First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barak Obama's daughters played no formal, West Wing level role. Nor did First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Laura. It was Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, when in the position of First Lady, who assumed a position of active advisor to her husband, President Bill Clinton.

During President Clinton's first term in office, West Wing space was allocated for the First Lady to work on a variety of projects, including chairing the Task Force on National Health Care Reform. Hillary Clinton set the stage for those in similar situations, like Ivanka, to actively participate as a trusted advisor rather than only a family member.

What does the future hold?

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have made the move to Washington, D.C., purchasing a home and moving her family in close proximity to her father and the White House. The POTUS has already made it clear that Kushner will remain as a senior advisor. He has yet to release details on Ivanka Trump's official role.

If past precedence holds true today and if her role resembles the type which occurred throughout the Clinton presidency, we can be assured that Ivanka Trump will face a rocky road regardless of any potential value added on her part as she works with her father, the President.
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