White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to Resign at End of August

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to resign at the end of August to spend more time with her family, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced.

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, saying Leavitt had decided to step down to give greater priority to her family.

Trump described Leavitt as a “true leader” at the White House and praised her work in support of justice, freedom and liberty. He also said she would remain one of his top advisers and an influential voice within the Republican Party.

Leavitt’s planned departure makes her the latest senior official to leave Trump’s second administration. Earlier this year, former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem were dismissed from their positions.

Several other senior officials have also left the administration amid criticism, including former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Todd Lyons.

Leavitt’s resignation comes shortly after her maternity leave. She gave birth to her second child in early May.

The 27-year-old returned to the White House podium in mid-July for her first formal news briefing after stepping away from the press secretary’s role at the end of April.

Trump praised Leavitt in his announcement, calling her one of the best White House press secretaries in the institution’s history.

Leavitt has been a familiar figure in Trump’s political circle since his first presidential term. She began her career at the White House as an intern in the Office of Presidential Correspondence.

By the end of Trump’s first term in January 2021, Leavitt was serving as an assistant press secretary and White House spokesperson.

Her departure will mark another significant personnel change in the Trump administration as the White House prepares for the next phase of its communications strategy.

Source: Al Jazeera