White House staffers are reportedly anxious about what’s in store for the administration once White House communication director Hope Hicks leaves her position at the end of this week.
“She’s the glue to the entire place,” a White House source told CBS News. “She helps keep the White House from fracturing. I don’t think people realize what’s about to happen once she leaves.”
Hicks has stood apart from other White House officials because President Trump “genuinely likes and respects her,” as one source close to the president told CBS News. This leaves other staffers unsure what to expect without her around. Sources testified that Hicks would often use her influence to shield other staff members from the wrath of his frequent outbursts.
Given the tremendous amount of respect Hicks garnered while leading the communications shop, the pressure to choose a replacement to fill her shoes has been widely speculated among staffers.
Hicks has not publicly weighed in on who she thinks should replace her. The Washington Examiner reportedly earlier this month that the hunt for Hicks’ replacement has been narrowed down to a small group, including White House director of strategic communications Mercedes Schlapp and Treasury Department spokesman Tony Sayegh.
“The job is already filled,” one former White House official said. “It’s filled by the president. And people who want to go to the mattresses for that position have to be real gluttons for punishment.”
Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, who is seen as a strong contender to be offered the position, is expected to serve as interim communications director after Hicks leaves.
