July 21 (UPI) — Sarah Huckabee Sanders will replace Sean Spicer as White House press secretary, the Trump administration announced Friday during an on-camera press briefing.
Newly announced White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci congratulated Sanders and thanked Spicer for his six-month tenure in the position.
Spicer resigned earlier Friday.
“Sean is a true American patriot, he’s a military serviceman, he’s got a great family and he’s done an amazing job. This is obviously a difficult situation to be in,” Scaramucci said.
Earlier in the briefing, Sanders issued a statement from President Donald Trump on Spicer.
“I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of my administration and the American people. I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities, just look at his great television ratings,” Trump said.
Spicer will continue as press secretary through August.
Trump’s statement went on to say the president has respect for his new communications director, Scaramucci.
“He’s been a great supporter and will now help implement key aspects of our agenda while leading the communications team,” he said.
The statements came as Sanders held the White House’s first on-camera news briefing in weeks
Spicer’s resignation came after Trump named Scaramucci as White House communications director — a move that may have prompted Spicer’s decision to resign.
Scaramucci replaces Mike Dubke, who resigned in May. Spicer had been fulfilling both the press secretary and communications director roles.
The last time the Trump communications team held an on-camera briefing was June 29.
