President Donald Trump has announced that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of the month. In a social media post, he described her as one of his "most trusted aides" and said she would become one of his top outside advisers.
Youngest press secretary
Ms Leavitt, 28, is the youngest person to hold the role. She recently returned to the White House after taking leave for the birth of her second child in May. She also has a two-year-old son.
She served as a press aide during Mr Trump's first term and has been one of the most visible advocates of his "Make America Great Again" movement.
Reason for departure
Mr Trump said Ms Leavitt "will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect." He added that she will be "an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy history, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections."
In her own social media post, Ms Leavitt said: "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 — 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."
No successor named
Mr Trump did not outline plans for who might replace her in the high-profile role.
