WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- White House Communications Director Hope Hicks said Wednesday that she is resigning, becoming the third person to leave the post during President Donald Trump's tenure beginning in January 2017.
"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.
The announcement came one day after Hicks testified in front of Congress on Russia's alleged interference with the 2016 presidential elections, and she said she had told "white lies" while working for the administration.
As Hicks announced her departure, Trump and other senior White House officials showered her with praises.
"Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years. 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," Trump said in a statement.
John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, said Hicks was "strategic, poised and wise beyond her years," adding that she has done a "tremendous job."
U.S. TV network CNN reported that despite the nice words, Trump had been furious about Hicks' performance in Congress the day earlier, berating her after her testimony. Trump allegedly said to Hicks: "How could you be so stupid," remarks that CNN said may have been the last straw for Hicks.
But the New York Times reported that her departure was not related to the hearing and that she had made up her mind prior to the hearing.
Reports said the 29-year-old had reportedly considered resigning for months, saying she wanted to explore opportunities outside the White House.
Hicks said she had accomplished what she felt she could with a job that made her one of the most powerful people in Washington, and that there would never be a perfect moment to leave, the New York Times reported.
Hicks, Trump's longest serving aide, has been working under Trump for three years since before he announced his presidential candidacy. She entered Trump's team as a communications aide, and gradually became one of Trump's most trusted advisors.
She was raised to the post of White House communications director after her predecessor Anthony Scaramucci resigned last summer. Hicks was considered to be one of the most low-profile figures ever to fill that seat, preferring to stay behind the scene.
Hicks is the latest of Trump's confidants to have left the White House, and the only person from Trump's campaign who is now still working in the White House.
Prominent West Wing members who have left include former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and former Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Deputy White House Communications Director Josh Raffel announced his resignation a day earlier.
Hicks is expected to leave the White House in the next few weeks. Hicks has not announced her future plans, and has said she's not fond of Washington politics.
