Report: Hope Hicks to leave White House communications post

WASHINGTON—White House communications director Hope Hicks said Wednesday she plans to resign, according to a New York Times report. The news comes just one day after she testified for eight hours behind closed doors before the House Intelligence Committee regarding its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible connections to the Trump campaign. President Donald Trump promoted Hicks, 29, to lead his communications team last year after multiple staff members in the press office either stepped down or were fired. Hicks is one of Trump’s longest-serving political advisers, joining his campaign early in 2015. “Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years,” the president said in a statement to the Times. “I will miss having her by my side, but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood.” Hicks did not reveal her plans beyond the White House or when her resignation would take effect. Earlier this month, Hicks drew scrutiny for allegedly dating former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who resigned amid accusations he physically abused his two ex-wives.