US President Donald Trump has announced that Karoline Leavitt will step down as White House press secretary, ending her tenure as the administration's main spokesperson.
Leavitt, who became one of the most prominent public faces of the Trump administration, regularly defended the president's policies and responded to questions from journalists during White House briefings.
Trump praised Leavitt for her work and described her as a strong representative of his administration. Her departure is expected to lead to changes in how the White House communicates with the media and the public.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to face intense scrutiny over its domestic and foreign policies. A replacement for Leavitt will be closely watched because the White House press secretary plays a key role in communicating the president's position on major national and international issues.