March 1 (UPI) — White House Communications Director Hope Hicks announced Wednesday she is resigning.
The news comes one day after she testified in a hearing before the House intelligence committee in its probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
“There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the president and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country,” Hicks said in a statement.
Hicks permanently became the permanent communications director in September after serving in the interim upon the departure of Anthony Scaramucci. The 29-year-old former model was among the first of Trump’s staffers in his presidential campaign, though she had no prior political experience.
Prior to Trump’s presidency, Hicks was employed by New York public relations firm Hiltzik Strategies before moving on to the Trump Organization, where her projects included work on Ivanka Trump‘s line of fashion and accessories. That position developed into a close relationship with the Trump family.
“Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years,” Trump said. “She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person. I will miss having her by my side, but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood. I am sure we will work together again in the future.”
