White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders will leave her job at the end of the month to return to her home state of Arkansas, President Donald Trump said on Thursday, June 13.
Sanders, 36, who has three young children, said she wanted to spend more time with her children.
“She’s a warrior,” said Trump, who announced her departure on Twitter shortly before calling Sanders on stage at an event at the White House. “We’ve been through a lot together, and she’s tough, but she’s good.”
After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2019
Sanders expressed her gratitude to Trump.
“I am blessed and forever grateful to @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to serve and proud of everything he’s accomplished. I love the President and my job. The most important job I’ll ever have is being a mom to my kids and it’s time for us to go home. Thank you Mr. President!” Sanders wrote on Twitter.
I am blessed and forever grateful to @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to serve and proud of everything he’s accomplished. I love the President and my job. The most important job I’ll ever have is being a mom to my kids and it’s time for us to go home. Thank you Mr. President! https://t.co/wHNnq06AMg
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 13, 2019
Trump did not immediately name a replacement.
Sanders, who took over the role from Sean Spicer in July 2017 after previously serving as deputy press secretary, is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is also a two-time Republican presidential candidate. She served as field director for her father’s 2002 reelection campaign and was the national director for his 2008 presidential bid.
“I always say that when most kids are seven or eight years old out jumping rope, she was sitting at the kitchen table listening to [political commentators] analyze poll results,” Mike Huckabee told Fox News earlier this year, speaking about his daughter.
Trump Fans’ Favorite
Sanders became a popular figure in her own right at Trump rallies, sought after for selfies by his supporters. In November, at the final rallies ahead of the congressional elections, Trump invited her on stage to speak briefly to the cheering crowds.
Sanders’s role developed into that of a senior adviser and confidante of the president, one who is regularly brought into senior-level meetings. She called the job “the honor of a lifetime.”
“I’ve loved every minute, even the hard minutes,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I have three amazing kids, and I’m going to spend a little more time with them.”
Speculation immediately turned to whether Sanders might run for governor of Arkansas, a position once held by her father.
“If we can get her to run for the governor of Arkansas, I think she’ll do very well,” Trump said.
….She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas – she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2019
Reuters and Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
