White House communications director Hope Hicks will leave the White House in the coming weeks.
Hicks, 29, served as President Trump’s campaign spokesperson before following him to the White House. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed the news to the Washington Examiner Wednesday.
Sanders said the decision has “nothing at all whatsoever” to do with Hicks’ testimony to the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. That testimony lasted eight hours as a part of their investigation into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
Sanders added there’s “no definitive timeline” on when she’ll leave her role.
Hicks recently became the focus of intense media coverage when her reported boyfriend, former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, was accused by both of his ex-wives of abuse.
Sanders told a group of reporters Wednesday that Hicks “had been thinking about it before” the Porter controversy and said Trump “is not unhappy with her in any way” after Hicks reportedly testified that she told white lies on Trump’s behalf.
“Guys, quit trying to make this a scandal. It’s not. Don’t try to read more into it than exists,” Sanders said. “This is something she’s been thinking about for awhile. So maybe it’s surprising for you guys but it’s not like it happened overnight.”
In an afternoon statement confirming her departure, Hicks said: “There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the President and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country.”
Trump said in a statement that “Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years.”
“She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person,” he said. I will miss having her by my side, but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood. I am sure we will work together again in the future.”
The White House did not immediately say who would replace Hicks and said her last day will be “sometime in the next few weeks.”
