Who Is Anthony Coley?
Anthony Coley is an American communications strategist and political analyst. He led the Justice Department’s Office of Public Affairs and served as its chief spokesman from 2021 to 2023. He is also known for senior communications posts in the U.S. Senate, the New Jersey Statehouse, and the Treasury Department.
His employers and principals include:
- Senators Edward Kennedy, Zell Miller, and Jon Corzine
- Representative Harold Ford, Jr.
- Treasury Department leadership
- Attorney General Merrick Garland
Where Is Anthony Coley From?
Anthony Coley is a native of LaGrange, North Carolina. The official Justice Department profile does not publish his birth date.
What Did Anthony Coley Study?
Anthony Coley holds 2 degrees. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Morehouse College and a Master of Arts in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University.
What Roles Did Anthony Coley Hold Before the Justice Department?
Anthony Coley held 5 main roles before the Justice Department, spanning Congress, state government, the Treasury Department, and the private sector.
- Communications aide to Senator Zell Miller and Representative Harold Ford, Jr.
- Spokesman for Senator Jon Corzine in Washington
- Press secretary to the New Jersey governor, later Director of Public Communications for the state
- Communications director for Senator Edward Kennedy and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
- Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Treasury Department’s Office of Public Affairs
He joined Senator Kennedy’s staff in 2008 after a two-year period in Trenton, New Jersey. Brunswick Group later named him a director in its Washington office. He served at Treasury from July 2011 to January 2015.
He then spent five years as Executive Vice President of Communications at Managed Funds Association, the global trade association for the alternative investment industry.
What Did Anthony Coley Do at the Justice Department?
Anthony Coley directed the Office of Public Affairs and advised Attorney General Merrick Garland. He was sworn in on February 3, 2021. Axios reported his selection on January 26, 2021.
His duties included:
- Providing communications counsel to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General
- Serving as the department’s chief spokesman
- Overseeing national media relations for litigating divisions, such as antitrust and national security, plus law enforcement components and U.S. Attorney offices
His tenure covered the appointment of 2 special counsels and the investigation involving the president’s son.
What Award Did Anthony Coley Receive?
Anthony Coley received the Edmund J. Randolph Award. Attorney General Garland presented the award, the Justice Department’s highest honor, at the end of his tenure.
What Is Anthony Coley Doing Now?
Anthony Coley works as a political and legal analyst for national television networks. He provides independent analysis for NBC News, CNBC, and MSNBC, and is listed as a political analyst with Corner Office Strategies. He briefed National Press Foundation fellows on Justice Department media coverage in March 2024.
His IMDb profile also states that he trained at Studio Acting Conservatory in Washington, D.C.
What Is the Anthony Coley Career Timeline?
The table below summarizes the career of Anthony Coley by period, position, and organization.
| Period | Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Communications Director | Office of Senator Edward Kennedy |
| 2009 | Director | Brunswick Group, Washington office |
| 2011 to 2015 | Deputy Assistant Secretary | U.S. Treasury Department |
| Five years, after Treasury | Executive Vice President, Communications | Managed Funds Association |
| 2021 to 2023 | Director, Office of Public Affairs | U.S. Department of Justice |
| After 2023 | Political and Legal Analyst | NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC |
People Also Ask
When did Anthony Coley become Justice Department spokesman?
Anthony Coley became Justice Department spokesman when he was sworn in on February 3, 2021.
Which schools did Anthony Coley attend?
Anthony Coley attended Morehouse College for his bachelor’s degree and The George Washington University for his master’s degree.
Who did Anthony Coley work for in the Senate?
Anthony Coley worked for Senators Edward Kennedy, Zell Miller, and Jon Corzine.
Is Anthony Coley married?
Official profiles do not state the marital status of Anthony Coley.
Why Is Anthony Coley Known in Communications and Public Service?
Anthony Coley is known for more than 20 years of senior communications work in government, finance, and media. Treasury secretaries, senators, and CEOs have relied on him for political and communications guidance. His biography includes service to 3 senators, 1 governor, 1 Treasury Department, and 1 Attorney General, followed by national television analysis.