Trump’s comms chief Hicks quits her post
Hope Hicks, one of Donald Trump’s most trusted aides, is to resign. The 29-year-old communications director, the fourth of Mr Trump’s tenure, did not give a reason but was effusive in her praise for the president. The day before, she had admitted to a Congressional committee investigating whether Mr Trump’s campaign had colluded with Russia that she had told “white lies” on behalf of the president.
HOPE HICKS, one of Donald Trump’s most fiercely loyal aides and a key part of his inner circle, is to resign as White House communications director.
Ms Hicks, 29, who was one of the very first people to join Mr Trump’s fledgling presidential campaign team in 2015, was widely regarded as his gatekeeper, perhaps the closest person to him in the White House apart from his family. She sat at the desk closest to the Oval Office and was present for nearly every key moment of Mr Trump’s campaign and presidency.
The day before deciding to resign Ms Hicks had spent nine hours giving evidence to the House Intelligence Committee which is investigating whether there was collusion between Mr Trump’s campaign and Russia.
During testimony she admitted having told “white lies” on behalf of Mr Trump, but insisted she had not lied about anything relevant to the Russia probe. She also declined to answer questions relating to events since Mr Trump took office.
Ms Hicks has also been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team about her role in crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr’s 2016 meeting with Russians at Trump Tower. Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said Miss Hicks’ resignation was not related to her testimony.
She said: “Don’t try to read more into it than exists. This is something that she’s been thinking about for a while.”
Ms Hicks had been romantically linked to Rob Porter, the White House staff secretary, who resigned earlier this month after being accused of domestic violence by two ex-wives, allegations he has denied. Before taking up her post, the former model worked for the president’s daughter Ivanka.in August 2017 she was promoted to become the fourth White House communications director under Mr Trump, after Mike Dubke, Sean Spicer and Anthony Scaramucci.
Ms Hicks commented: “I wish the president... the very best as he continues to lead our country.”
Mr Trump said: “Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years. She is... a truly great person.”