- The 29-year-old former model was Trump’s right-hand woman first at his company, then on the campaign trail and in the West Wing
- Hicks will leave soon but there is no fixed timeline
- She spent nine hours testifying Tuesday to the House Intelligence Committee but the White House says her decision was unrelated
Trump-whisperer Hope Hicks will be departing the White House in the coming weeks, leaving a giant hole in the inner circle President Trump trusts most.
Hicks spent nine hours on Tuesday testifying before the House Intelligence Committee and parrying questions about the Trump campaign’s alleged contacts with Russian nationals.
She told committee members that while she sometimes told ‘white lies’ for Trump, she had always been truthful about the Russia matter.
In a statement, President Trump praised his loyal right-hand woman.
‘Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years,’ he 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.’
The New York Times was first to report on Hicks’ departure.
Hicks, 29, was one of the president’s longest-serving advisers, accompanying him on the road throughout the grueling campaign and then moving to the White House at a desk just feet from the Oval Office.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that there was ‘not a definitive timeline’ for her departure.
Asked if her resignation had anything to do with her marathon on Capitol Hill, Sanders replied: ‘Nothing at all whatsoever.’
White House Chief of staff John Kelly said Wednesday that he had ‘quickly realized what so many have learned about Hope – she is strategic, poised and wise beyond her years.’
‘She became a trusted adviser and counselor and did a tremendous job overseeing the communications for the president’s agenda including the passage of historic tax reform,’ Kelly added.
‘She has served her country with great distinction. To say that she will be missed, is an understatement.’