White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to leave her position at the end of August, with President Donald Trump announcing that she will step down to spend more time with her young children and family.
Trump described Leavitt as one of his “most trusted aides” and said he understood and respected her decision.
In announcing her departure, Trump said Leavitt would continue to serve as one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party.
Leavitt, 28, became White House press secretary last year, making her the youngest person to hold the position.
It was not immediately clear who would succeed her.
Leavitt welcomed her second child, a daughter, with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, in May. The couple also have a two-year-old son. She returned to work last month following maternity leave.
Reacting to Trump’s announcement, Leavitt described her tenure as White House press secretary as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.”
She said balancing motherhood with one of the most demanding jobs in the world had been both rewarding and challenging.
Leavitt explained that after returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter, she realised she could not give her two young children the attention they deserved while meeting the demands of the press secretary’s job.
She therefore described her decision to leave the White House as “bittersweet,” saying she was ready to begin a new chapter in her life.
Leavitt has had a longstanding association with Trump. During his first term as president, she worked at the White House as an assistant press secretary and speechwriter.
She later served as communications director to Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York.
In 2022, Leavitt contested the US House of Representatives seat in New Hampshire. She won a closely fought Republican primary but was defeated in the general election by Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas.
Trump’s announcement marks the end of Leavitt’s tenure as the public face of his White House communications operation, although she is expected to remain involved as an outside adviser.
