Josh Raffel, the spokesman for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, is leaving the White House.
Raffel, who was promoted to the position of deputy communications director in the fall, had become the White House’s go-to crisis communications guy, while also having his hand in a number of policy areas.
His departure was first reported by Axios on Tuesday afternoon.
News of Raffel’s departure comes as Kushner’s ability to tend to his vast portfolio is being questioned now that the president’s son-in-law’s security clearance has been downgraded and while White House fault lines are spilling into the press.
Chief of Staff John Kelly reportedly said that Ivanka is merely ‘playing government.’ Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is said to be frustrated with Kushner’s meddling in foreign affairs.
Josh Raffel (right), the spokesman for Jared Kushner (left) and Ivanka Trump is leaving the White House in the next two months, Axios reported Tuesday
Josh Raffel (right) was spotted out in D.C. with White House Communications Director Hope Hicks (center right) and her then-boyfriend Rob Porter (left), who resigned in disgrace over allegations that he abused his two ex-wives
Those PR headaches aren’t the driving force behind Raffel’s departure, according to the White House. The aide has been telling friends and colleagues that he needs to return to New York City to deal with family obligations for the past two months. He also plans to return to the private sector.
His departure is not imminent. He’ll remain at the White House for the next two months as he transitions out of his position.
Raffel had already informed Jared and Ivanka of his plans before news of his departure broke.
The aide was an unusual fit for a Republican administration, but he was respected by his peers.
A Hollywood public relations executive, Raffel was brought on to lead the communications team for the Office of American Innovation, which Kushner heads.
His position evolved to becoming the spokesperson for the first daughter and her husband, both top White House advisers.
Axios noted that while Raffel was a Democrat and had supported President Trump’s political rival Hillary Clinton, a number of staffers – including ‘some Trump originals’ – were ‘surprised how quickly they grew to like and trust him.’
Raffel’s allies at the White House were quick to sing him praises as his departure became public fodder.
‘Josh is honest, passionate and thoughtful. Whether it was offering strategic guidance on the communications for tax reform or a foreign trip, Josh’s guidance was invaluable, the White House won’t be the same without him,’ Ivanka Trump said in a statement.
Gary Cohn, President Trump’s top economic adviser, and a key ally to ‘Javanka,’ was also sad to see Raffel go.
‘Josh has been a trusted partner as we worked to enact the president’s economic agenda and passed historic tax reform,’ Cohn said in a statement to Axios. ‘He is focused and thoughtful in our day-to-day operations and in driving a policy roll-out, and he will be missed.’