Leavitt resignation opens race for White House press secretary

Karoline Leavitt’s surprise decision to step down as White House press secretary at the end of the month has opened one of the most visible jobs in President Donald Trump’s administration, setting off speculation over who will take her place.

The White House has not announced a successor, and people within and close to the administration told the BBC that no decision has been made. Trump, announcing Leavitt’s departure, called her one of his “most trusted aides.” The Guardian reported that Leavitt is leaving to spend more time with her family.

The role extends well beyond the briefing room. The press secretary manages daily interactions with reporters, coordinates messaging across the White House, advises the president on media strategy and oversees an office that handles a heavy flow of requests and inquiries.

“It’s not easy,” a person close to the administration told the BBC. “That person will be very aware that he’s watching every day.”

Some people expect the White House to rely, at least temporarily, on senior administration figures rather than immediately appointing a stand-in from the press office. When Leavitt was on leave earlier this year, Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other high-ranking officials delivered press briefings.

Several names are already circulating in Trump’s orbit.

Steven Cheung, the White House communications director and a longtime Trump adviser, is among the possible contenders. He joined Trump’s 2016 campaign, later served as director of rapid response during Trump’s first term, left the White House in 2018 and started a private firm that worked with Trump’s 2020 campaign. Before joining Trump’s team, he led communications for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. After Leavitt’s departure was announced, Cheung posted a photo with her and congratulated her on “A job well done!” He added: “Karoline has been the best teammate. She is fiercely loyal, unflappable, and a great person who serves the President with honor.” The Guardian reported that Leavitt joked on social media that the pair had survived “many, many news cycles” together.

Alina Habba, 42, is another name under discussion. A former personal lawyer for Trump, she served as the president’s counsellor during his first months back in office. Trump previously described her as “unwavering in her loyalty” and a “tireless advocate for justice.” Habba resigned in December as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey after a court battle over her eligibility to serve as U.S. attorney for the state. The BBC reported that a district court rejected her nomination and Trump later placed her in an acting role; The Guardian said a federal judge ultimately ruled her appointment unlawful. Habba represented Trump in his 2024 New York hush-money trial, where he was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump has appealed that conviction. The Guardian, citing the New York Post, reported that Habba is an early frontrunner.

Anna Kelly, 29, currently works under Leavitt as a White House deputy press secretary. The former beauty queen has represented the White House in the media and previously served as national press secretary for the Republican National Committee. The Guardian described her as principal deputy press secretary and said she was also a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Katie Miller, 34, is an influential conservative podcaster and former Trump staffer. She is married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key figure in Trump’s immigration agenda. She served as press secretary to former Vice-President Mike Pence from 2019 to 2020 and later as his communications director. She also worked as communications director for Doge, the cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk and known as the “Department of Government Efficiency.” Her podcast, launched last August, targets conservative women and busy mothers.

Other names include Sage Steele, a 53-year-old former television anchor and sportscaster who campaigned for Trump in 2024; Tricia McLaughlin, a former Department of Homeland Security public affairs official known for defending the administration’s immigration policies; and Scott Jennings, a CNN senior political contributor and former Trump critic who has become a prominent defender of the administration. The Guardian also listed Taylor Budowich, a former White House deputy chief of staff who left last year for the private sector, as a possible contender.