Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave White House

Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave White House

President Donald Trump said White House press secretary and New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt is stepping down from her position at the end of the month to spend more time with her family, a departure that opens up one of the White House's most visible roles. Trump announced Leavitt's exit in a Wednesday post on Truth Social, calling her "one of my most trusted aides" and "wonderful." He said he understands and respects her decision, adding that Leavitt will remain one of his top outside advisers and an influential voice within the Republican Party. "Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!" Trump said. Leavitt, 28, the youngest press secretary in White House history, has served in the role for Trump's entire second term. Leavitt recently returned to her position after taking maternity leave following the birth in May of daughter Viviana, the second child of Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio. "Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime," Leavitt said in a statement. Leavitt pointed to juggling being a mother to a newborn child while also carrying out the responsibilities of press secretary, calling it "the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least." "The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary," Leavitt said. "And that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life." Trump did not say who he will name to replace Leavitt. Trump has had little turnover among his top White House aides during his second term, particularly compared to his first term. Trump shuffled through several press secretaries during his first four years in office, from 2017 to 2021: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany. The New Hampshire Republican State Committee praised Leavitt. "Karoline Leavitt has made New Hampshire proud," said NHRSC Chairman Scott Maltzie.