Karoline Leavitt stepping down as White House press secretary

Driving the news: Trump said in the surprise post that Leavitt will become one of his top outside advisers and "an influential voice within the Republican Party" heading into the midterm elections.

• Leavitt, 28, said in a post that being a mother and welcoming a new baby while serving as press secretary "has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least."
• She continued, "The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary."
• When reached for comment, the White House pointed to statements made by Leavitt and Trump.

The big picture: Leavitt made headlines for being the youngest White House press secretary to hold the role.

• She defended the White House through multiple controversies and the biggest stories of the president's second term so far, including the Signalgate scandal, the release of the Epstein files and the Iran war.

• Even in her statement announcing her departure, she took aim at Democrats that she said seek "to destroy everything great about America."
• Leavitt also backed the Trump administration's tightening of press coverage, telling Axios last year that the administration wanted to expand access — opening the press corps to influencers and MAGA-friendly voices — and not limit it.

Context: The president directly chooses the White House press secretary, a position that does not require Senate confirmation.

• Trump had four press secretaries during his first term.

Editor's note: This story was updated throughout with additional information.