WASHINGTON: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who earned a reputation for acid putdowns of journalists, is to step down, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday adding she would remain a senior adviser. Leavitt, 28, the youngest ever US presidential top spokesperson, has been a fiercely loyal Trump defender, delivering fluent and aggressive performances at often combative press briefings.

President Donald Trump says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will be leaving the administration at the end of the month to spend time with her young family.

Leavitt, 28, was the youngest White House press secretary in history when Trump appointed her early during his transition.