White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigns
Jul 21, 2017, 9:14 AM | Updated: 12:01 pm
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned Friday after President Donald Trump hired a New York financier to serve as communications director.
The New York Times reported that Spicer opted to leave because he “vehemently opposed” the hiring of Anthony Scaramucci.
Trump offered the job to Scaramucci about 7 a.m. Arizona time. Spicer resigned two hours later.
It's been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August
— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) July 21, 2017
Spicer had not been taking part in media briefings for some time, leaving the duty to deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She will take over Spicer’s role.
He was excused from several May briefings because he was required to serve in the Navy reserves, but began to fade from public appearances after that.
It was later learned that Spicer was promoted to oversee the entire communications department following the May resignation of communications director Mike Dubke.
Spicer’s often combative question-and-answer sessions with the reporters who cover Trump had become must-see TV. Since taking over as press secretary, he made a number of gaffes at the podium that ended up shining the media spotlight on him, instead of on Trump and his policies.
Most White House briefings have shifted to audio-only.
Scaramucci is a frequent defender of the president on television and was a fixture at Trump Tower during Trump’s transition.
Scaramucci had once expected to be named head of the White House office that coordinates the administration’s outreach to the business community and other interest groups. But that plan was scuttled due to questions surrounding the sale of his hedge fund.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.