From New England beginnings to White House, Sean Spicer talks new role

WASHINGTON — One of the main and most visible players in the Trump administration is a New England native.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer is usually the one dishing it out on television, often times butting heads with the media.

Spicer grew up in Rhode Island, had family all over Massachusetts and continues to root for the Patriots. The political bug bit while living in New England, Spicer told FOX25's Blair Miller in a one-on-one interview.

"I started working on some political campaigns in Connecticut and Rhode Island and then moved to Washington after graduating from college," he said.

He attended Connecticut College and Naval War College, serving in the U.S. Navy.

In D.C., he started climbing the ranks of the Republican National Committee. He served as the communications director from 2011, getting to know the now President Donald Trump.

"We had this little back and forth on the plane about the interest in this position and then he called me days just before Christmas and formally offered me the job," Spicer said.

It's a job that many can only dream of and it's not an easy one; since day one, Spicer has faced criticism for incorrectly saying Trump's inauguration was the most ever attended to blocking CNN and the NYTimes from a press briefing last week.

He's even made it onto SNL, being portrayed by Melissa McCarthy.

"You'd be lying that if you said it didn't bother you from time to time when people impune your motives.  People make mistakes.  I make mistakes, but when people say you do something for nefarious reasons or on purpose, yeah, that part bothers me," he said.

Along with the numerous leaks plaguing the office are reports of Trump being less than thrilled with Spicer. However, he told Blair Miller that he and the president are always talking to make sure they are on the same page.

Spicer knows it's a unique time in his life and says he's trying to relish every moment of the way inside Americas' house.

"When I was a kid, all I wanted to get was a tour of the East Wing.  Now, I have an office steps from the Oval Office," Spicer said.

Cox Media Group