White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is preparing to take maternity leave in the coming days as she welcomes her second child, a baby girl, next week. Administration officials have outlined a flexible plan to keep press briefings running smoothly during her absence.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is youngest ever : NPR
Rather than naming a single interim replacement, the White House will rotate duties among several senior officials. This approach draws on a variety of voices to share updates and maintain consistent communication with the press.
Expected participants include Vice President JD Vance, various Cabinet members, and possibly President Donald Trump on occasion. While presidents have occasionally joined briefing sessions, regular leadership from the top would represent a change from standard practice.
The arrangement aims to ensure continuity while supporting Leavitt’s family time. Communications Director Steven Cheung will continue overseeing the press operation alongside Leavitt’s existing team.
Key staff members supporting daily operations include Pat Adams, Anna Kelly, Kush Desai, Abigail Jackson, Liz Huston, Taylor Rogers, Davis Ingle, Allison Schuster, Olivia Wales, Micah Stopperich, Ellie Acra, Georgia O’Neil, and Kieghan Nangle.
No fixed schedule has been set for who will take the podium each day. Instead, selections will depend on availability and topic expertise to deliver clear, informed updates.
The last ‘daily’ White House press briefing was 170 days ago | CNN Politics
Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly has been noted as a strong internal candidate for increased responsibilities, bringing experience from the Republican National Committee and prior roles in the House of Representatives. She also holds a special assistant position and previously earned recognition as Miss State Fair of Virginia, where she focused on encouraging civic involvement among young people.
Other team members like Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers and Regional Press Secretary Liz Huston bring valuable backgrounds from university programs and professional experience in communications and related fields.
Leavitt is expected to return to her position once her maternity leave ends, though no specific return date has been shared. This temporary setup highlights the administration’s emphasis on teamwork and adaptability in managing public communications.