Administration

White House senior staff praise Hope Hicks on White House exit

by Julia Manchester 02/28/18 07:45 PM CST

Various senior staff members at the White House praised outgoing communications director Hope Hicks on Wednesday after she announced she will depart her post in the coming weeks.

“When I became chief of staff, I quickly realized what so many have learned about Hope — she is strategic, poised and wise beyond her years,” chief of staff John Kelly said in a statement.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders paid tribute to Hicks in a tweet, saying no would be able to fill the void she left behind.

“I love you and will miss you, Hope Hicks,” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said in a tweet.

“Hope Hicks is loved & admired by all who know her. It’s with a heavy heart, but tremendous gratitude, that I wish her well in her next steps,” first daughter and White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump tweeted.

Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci also wished Hicks well in a tweet, saying the best for her is yet to come.

The New York Times first reported that Hicks would be leaving the White House after working alongside the president since 2015.

Officials said she approached the president to tell him she wanted to seek outside opportunities.

{mosads}”There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the president and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country,” Hicks said in a statement.

Trump praised Hicks in a statement on Wednesday, as well.

“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.”