Letter to the President: The Journey and Fate of Your Communication

It is common to wonder what happens to a letter addressed to the President of the United States when it is mailed to the White House. This article delves into the journey, the processes involved, and the potential outcomes of such letters.

From Mailing to the Mail Room

When you write a letter to the President and send it to the White House, it begins its journey in the White House Mail Room. At this initial point, security screening is conducted. Staff members ensure that the letter does not contain any suspicious or threatening content, as the safety and security of the President are paramount.

Securing the National Interest

The screening process is crucial. If your letter contains any threats, it is immediately forwarded to the Secret Service and the FBI for further investigation. In such cases, you might even receive a visit from authorities. For rants and name-calling, the letter may be filed away for potential use, depending on the content and subject matter.

On the other hand, if your letter includes honest criticism or genuine issues, it may be reviewed by the appropriate office or staff member. Depending on the volume of correspondence and the nature of the issues, you may receive a response or at least an acknowledgment. However, the White House’s staff and resources can only handle so much, so the response rate may vary.

The White House Correspondence Process

To ensure the proper handling of your letter, all correspondence from the public must follow specific protocols. These protocols include initial screening, routing, and, eventually, potential responses. If your letter does not come back, it means it has successfully reached the relevant authorities for review.

A Real-Life Experience with the White House Mail Room

During the time of then-President Ronald Reagan, an interesting experience took place. In an empty building in downtown Washington DC, I stumbled upon a black and white Hollywood style press photo of Ronald Reagan's signing a contract. My intent was to have it autographed and keep it as a memory of the event. I sent the photo, along with a letter, to his office through a congresswoman, and to my surprise, I received the photo back, autographed in felt pen, along with a personal note from the President.

This incident provides a glimpse into the informal and sometimes surprising interactions that can occur between the White House and its constituents. The autograph was even more meaningful given the use of felt pen, as inventing felt pens as we know them today was beyond the technological scope of the 1950s when the photo was taken.

Real-world Interaction with the White House

Early in my career, I had the privilege of working as an attorney with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). There, I was given the opportunity to draft a response from President Reagan to a citizen's inquiry about an energy regulatory issue. The process included using official White House stationary to ensure the letter was official and carried the president's authority.

Such experiences highlight the potential for young professionals to contribute significantly to government service. In my time, attorneys starting their careers could be entrusted with tasks that shaped policy and influenced policy areas. However, modern times have seen a shift where such opportunities are less common.

Today, the White House and federal agencies are faced with increased scrutiny and complex issues, leading to more stringent protocols and fewer direct interactions between the president and individual citizens. However, the journey of a letter to the President still offers a unique window into the workings of the highest office in the land.

The White House is always aware of the correct address, which is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500. However, the effort required to send a letter directly to the President can be substantial. Not providing a stamp will result in the letter being returned, and not including a return address may lead to the letter being disposed of.

In summary, understanding the process of sending a letter to the President helps in crafting more effective and useful communications. Whether it results in a personal response or merely an acknowledgment, sending a letter can be a meaningful way to make your voice heard to those in power.