Caroline Leavitt Out — Her Replacement Has Been Named

The most visible figure in the White House briefing room is expected to step back temporarily in the coming months. Karoline Leavitt, who became the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, is expecting her second child, a daughter, due in May.

Her anticipated leave has sparked speculation in Washington over who may handle briefing duties during her absence, with several possible successors emerging from within the press office.

Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly is widely seen as a leading internal candidate. She joined the White House in January after serving in senior communications roles at the Republican National Committee and in the House of Representatives.

Kelly also serves as a special assistant to Donald Trump, a role that places her close to senior decision-making within the administration. Her background also extends beyond politics. In 2019, Kelly was crowned Miss State Fair of Virginia, a title she used to encourage civic engagement among younger Americans.

“In today’s polarized political climate, it is our job to step up to the plate and work to ensure the government we receive is a good one,” she told the *Fairfax Times*.

“It is my goal as Miss State Fair of Virginia to show young people that, contrary to what they might believe, we do have a voice and it’s about time we used it,” Kelly, a graduate of Auburn University, added.

Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers is also viewed as a possible option. A graduate of Clemson University, she joined the White House at the start of Trump’s second term after spending nearly two years at the Republican National Committee.

Rogers has reportedly worked closely with Press Secretary Leavitt, including appearances in the Oval Office, and maintains an active social media presence documenting her role in the administration.

Regional Press Secretary Liz Huston is another potential candidate. A graduate of Indiana University, she joined the administration from StateRAMP, where she worked as a program manager following an internship.

Leavitt has not publicly announced a formal timeline for stepping back from daily briefing duties, but she has shared personal updates.

According to the *Daily Mail*, Leavitt recently celebrated her baby shower and posted photos from the event, including one with her mother, Erin, and close friends.

“My beautiful friends threw me a beautiful baby shower, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” she wrote. “I feel blessed to have so many strong and loving women in my life and can’t believe we will welcome our little lady into the world in a few weeks.”

In December, Leavitt announced on Instagram that she and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, are expecting a girl. She described the news as “the greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for.”

“My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother,” Leavitt wrote. The couple’s first child, a son named Niko, was born in July 2024.

Leavitt also thanked the administration’s leadership when announcing her pregnancy, crediting President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles with building “a pro-family environment in the White House.”

She ended the post with a note of excitement: “2026 is going to be a great year, and I’m so excited to be a girl mom.”

After the announcement, Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump told Fox News that Leavitt had no plans to leave the administration. “Karoline Leavitt is a machine, she’s going nowhere,” Lara told host Lisa Boothe, adding that Leavitt quickly returned to the Trump campaign after the birth of her son last year.