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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said White House press secretary 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 an Aug. 12 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. Known for her combative and energetic communications style behind the podium, Leavitt has often set the tone for the White House's handling of a wide-range of issues.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. The couple also has a boy, Nicholas, or "Niko," who turned 2 in July."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. She thanked Trump for granting her the opportunity and "entrusting me with the distinct privilege of speaking on his behalf at the White House podium."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, who worked in the White House during Trump's first term as a press aide and later unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Republican in her native New Hampshire in 2022.Trump has had little turnover among his top White House aides during his second term, particularly compared to his first term.Trump shuffled through four press secretaries during his first four years in office, from 2017 to 2021: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.When Leavitt signs off at the end of August, she will end her run as the second longest-serving press secretary under Trump, trailing only Sanders.Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
