Anthony Scaramucci Takes The Podium - White House Press Briefing
Channel: Millennial Monitor
Date: 21/07/2017

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has resigned.

Sources quoted in media reports say his decision to step down is linked to the appointment of new White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. They say Trump's spokesman offered his resignation shortly after Scaramucci, a New York financier, was named.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders read a statement on behalf of Trump in which the president thanked Spicer for his service.

"I am grateful for Sean's work on behalf of my administration and the American people. I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities — just look at his great television ratings," she said on behalf of Trump.

Spicer's press briefings had drawn large audiences on television and social media. Recently, Sanders has taken over most briefings, and held them off camera.

In introducing Scaramucci, Sanders continued quoting Trump as saying he has "great respect for Scaramucci" and looks forward to working with him.

Scaramucci, a fierce defender of Trump on cable talk shows, has long been considered a contender for the White House staff. In January, he sold his hedge fund, SkyBridge Capital, with the expectation of being named assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Scaramucci's White House appointment was reportedly not supported by some members of Trump's staff, including spokesman Spicer, who resigned Friday, and chief of staff Reince Priebus, who has had differences with Scaramucci in the past. Priebus, however, told the Associated Press on Friday that he supports Scaramucci "100 percent." He added, "It's all good here."

BY STEVE HARMAN / VOA NEWS
Steve Herman is VOA's White House Bureau Chief.

Washington DC
July 21, 2017