White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Is OUT - Here's Who Is Replacing Her at the Podium
Washington D.C. – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person ever to hold the position and one of President Donald J. Trump’s most effective and loyal communicators, will temporarily step back from daily briefing duties in the coming months as she prepares to welcome her second child, a daughter, due in May.
Leavitt has been a powerhouse at the podium — sharp, unflinching, and unapologetically America First. She has masterfully defended President Trump’s agenda, exposed radical Democrat hypocrisy, and delivered clear, truthful messaging even under intense media pressure. Her temporary leave is purely personal and family-focused, and the administration has made clear she remains a vital part of the team.
Speculation is already swirling about who will step in during her absence. Several strong, capable voices from within the press office are emerging as leading candidates.
Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly is widely seen as a top internal choice. A former senior communications strategist at the Republican National Committee and the House of Representatives, Kelly joined the White House in January. She also serves as a special assistant to President Trump, giving her direct insight into high-level decision-making. Kelly’s background includes promoting civic engagement as Miss State Fair of Virginia in 2019, where she encouraged young Americans to use their voice in government.
Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers, a Clemson University graduate, is another strong contender. She joined the administration at the start of Trump’s second term after nearly two years at the RNC and has worked closely alongside Leavitt, including in the Oval Office.
Regional Press Secretary Liz Huston, an Indiana University graduate with experience in cybersecurity communications, rounds out the list of potential successors.
Leavitt has not announced an exact timeline for stepping back, but she recently celebrated her baby shower and expressed deep gratitude for the strong, supportive women in her life. In December, she and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, announced they are expecting a girl, calling it “the greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for.” Their first child, son Niko, was born in July 2024.
Leavitt publicly thanked President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for creating a truly pro-family environment in the White House — a testament to the administration’s values. President Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, emphasized that Leavitt “is a machine” and has no plans to leave the administration permanently. She quickly returned to the campaign trail after Niko’s birth and is expected to do the same after welcoming her daughter.
This moment highlights the strength and family-first culture President Trump has built. While the radical left attacks traditional values and pushes policies that hurt working families, the Trump White House proves that strong leadership and strong families can coexist.
Karoline Leavitt has been an outstanding Press Secretary — articulate, tough, and loyal to the America First agenda. Whoever steps in during her temporary absence will continue delivering the same clear, truthful messaging that defines this administration.
The radical Democrats continue to lose ground because Americans see the difference: one side attacks families and promotes division, while President Trump builds an administration that supports them. Leavitt’s situation is a perfect example of that pro-family reality in action.
President Trump’s team remains rock solid. The America First movement is stronger than ever, and the temporary transition at the podium will not slow down the delivery of results for the American people.
part 1
The black duffel bag hit the porch with a heavy thud.
Its zipper burst open.
Everything inside spilled across the wooden boards.
At first, nobody moved.
Then Sheriff Daniels stepped forward.
A black handgun slid across the porch until it stopped against the front step.
His hand instantly went to his holster.
"Nobody move!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The cameraman zoomed in.
Beside the handgun lay dozens of unopened envelopes.
Every one of them carried military postage.
Every one of them was addressed to:
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Parker
The return address read:
Sergeant Emily Parker
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
The dates stretched across four years.
Some envelopes were faded from heat.
Others were still sealed with military tape.
Mrs. Ellis whispered, "Those are her letters..."
Pastor Ray slowly picked one up from the porch.
"It hasn't even been opened."
Another envelope.
Still sealed.
Then another.
Twenty.
Thirty.
More than anyone could count.
Mr. Greer's face turned pale.
"I delivered every one of those."
Nobody answered.
Inside the house came the sound of something crashing.
Emily couldn't breathe.
"I wrote every month."
Her voice barely carried.
"I never missed a birthday... never missed Christmas... never missed Mom's anniversary after her surgery."
She looked toward the windows.
"You never read them?"
Silence.
Sheriff Daniels carefully picked up the pistol using a handkerchief.
"This weapon isn't loaded."
Deputy Harris stepped beside him.
"Serial number's still intact."
Daniels stared.
His expression changed.
"I know this gun."
The deputy frowned.
"What?"
"It was reported stolen."
"When?"
"Almost six years ago."
He looked toward the Parker house.
"By Richard Parker."
The entire crowd turned toward the front door.
Inside, someone shouted.
"No!"
Then another crash.
Mr. Greer suddenly remembered something.
"I have something."
He hurried back to his mail truck.
People watched him disappear into the driver's seat.
A moment later he returned carrying a thick leather folder.
"I wasn't sure I'd ever need this."
He handed it to the sheriff.
Daniels opened it.
Inside were photocopies.
Certified mail receipts.
Postal forwarding forms.
Rejected delivery notices.
Every document carried Richard Parker's signature.
The sheriff flipped page after page.
"Refused."
"Refused."
"Refused."
"Forward to sender."
Again.
Again.
Again.
Mr. Greer's voice trembled.
"Four years ago your parents came to the post office."
"They told us you were dangerous."
"They said if any military mail arrived, they didn't want it."
Emily stared at him.
"They said that?"
He nodded sadly.
"They claimed you'd threatened the family before you went away."
Mrs. Ellis burst into tears.
"Oh my God..."
Pastor Ray slowly removed his glasses.
"I told the congregation to pray for Richard and Linda."
"I thought they were grieving."
Across the street, whispers spread through the neighbors.
"I remember..."
"They said she assaulted someone."
"I heard she'd robbed a store."
"No... they told me she'd attacked her own father."
Every rumor.
Every lie.
Every cruel glance Emily had imagined while overseas...
Suddenly made sense.
She felt her knees weaken.
Mr. Greer caught her before she fell.
"You don't owe these people an apology."
Emily wiped away tears.
"I kept wondering why nobody answered."
She laughed bitterly.
"I thought everyone had forgotten me."
The sheriff continued examining the folder.
Then he stopped.
One document had a different heading.
Application for Declaration of Death in Absentia.
Daniels frowned.
"What is this?"
He read farther.
The filing claimed Emily Parker had been "missing with probable criminal activity."
Attached was a request to transfer ownership of her college trust, vehicle title, and military survivor benefits.
The application carried two signatures.
Richard Parker.
Linda Parker.
The crowd gasped.
"They tried to declare her legally dead?" someone whispered.
"No..."
"They couldn't..."
Emily's head snapped toward the house.
"My college trust?"
Her father had promised that account would always belong to her.
She had worked two jobs through high school because they insisted every dollar mattered.
Now...
Her stomach twisted.
They had tried to erase her completely.
Inside the house, another loud bang echoed.
Deputy Harris looked toward the sheriff.
"They're moving."
Daniels nodded once.
"Cover the back."
Two deputies sprinted around the sides of the property.
The cameraman followed until another officer pushed him back.
Suddenly the upstairs curtains flew open.
Richard Parker appeared for only a second.
His face was drenched with sweat.
He looked directly at Emily.
Not with guilt.
With hatred.
"You should've stayed gone!" he screamed.
Then he disappeared.
Mrs. Parker's terrified voice echoed from somewhere inside.
"Richard, stop!"
Another crash.
Glass shattered.
Deputy Collins shouted from the backyard.
"Sheriff!"
"They're trying to get out!"
The crowd surged toward the sidewalk before officers forced everyone back.
Sheriff Daniels drew a slow breath.
"This isn't about an escaped convict anymore."
He looked at the house.
"This is now a criminal investigation."
Emily stood frozen.
Four years she'd dreamed about coming home.
Four years imagining hugs.
Laughter.
A family dinner.
Instead...
Her own parents had spent those same four years convincing an entire town that she was a criminal.
And judging by the fear inside that house...
The lies were only beginning to unravel.
