Stephanie Grisham is leaving her post as White House press secretary.
Grisham is set to rejoin the East Wing as the first lady’s chief of staff and spokesperson.
Melania Trump announced the news in a statement.
“I am excited to welcome Stephanie back to the team in this new role,” Melania Trump said.
She added, “She has been a mainstay and true leader in the Administration from even before day one, and I know she will excel as Chief of Staff. I appreciate all that Lindsay Reynolds did over the past three years, and wish her well in her future endeavors.”
Grisham served as the press secretary for less than a year. She released a statement of her own.
“I continue to be honored to serve both the President and First Lady in the Administration,” Grisham said. “My replacements will be announced in the coming days and I will stay in the West Wing to help with a smooth transition for as long as needed.”
Lindsay Reynolds, Melania Trump’s previous chief of staff, resigned earlier this week in order to spend more time with her family, according to the first lady’s statement.
Grisham succeeded Sarah Huckabee Sanders as press secretary in 2019. She will begin her latest role effective immediately.
Although she did not hold any formal press briefings, Grisham often appeared on Fox News.
Trump recently commented on the relationship the White House has with the press.
“We’ve done a poor job on press relationships, and I guess, I don’t know who to blame for that,” Trump said. “Maybe I can blame ourselves for that. I will blame ourselves. But I think we’ve done a great job. I think we’ve done a poor job in terms of press relationship.”
Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany is reportedly replacing Grisham.
Grisham’s departure comes amid the coronavirus crisis and as she reportedly self-quarantined in March.
