The White House is considering shifting press secretary Sean Spicer away from the daily spokesman role and into a senior communications role but no such move is imminent, a senior White House official says.

Spicer has been a frequent source of criticism for his performance at the White House lectern during daily news briefings, although President Donald Trump has stood by him through a variety of controversies.

Spicer is currently doing double duty as press secretary and communications director after the previous communications director, Michael Dubke, resigned on May 30.

The senior White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said discussions about the communications department have been going on for some time.

"I don't think anything is imminent," the official said. "No decisions have been made. There is nothing definitive."

Trump has privately vented to aides on occasion about the communications team and the need to have more people defending him on television.

The White House has been looking at ways to improve on this front.

"We have sought input from many people as we look to expand our communications operation. As he did in the beginning, Sean Spicer is managing both the communications and press office," said White House deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders.