Sean Spicer exits White House amid spat with Trump

UPDATE: President Donald Trumnp announced Anthony Scaramucci as the new White House communications director on Friday, hours after former press secretary Sean Spicer quit over the decision. In his first act in the new job, Scaramucci promoted Sarah Huckabee Sanders to replace Spicer. The former press secretary told reporters he resigned because he thought Trump's White House "could benefit from a clean slate." Spicer will remain on the job until August. In a statement acknowledging the resignation, Trump gave a nod to Spicer's "great ratings" and said he was "grateful for Sean's work on behalf of my administration and the American people." Scaramucci, a New York financier, previously appeared as co-host for the Fox Business Network's Wall Street Week.

OUR EARLIER REPORT (1:15 p.m.): White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned Friday after President Donald Trump offered New York financier and Republican fundraiser Anthony Scaramucci a job as the new White House communications director. Spicer vehemently disagreed with the decision and told Trump hiring Scaramucci was a major mistake, according to The New York Times. The White House has gone without a communications director since Mike Dubke resigned in May. Spicer has balanced both jobs since then. Over the last several months, the White House began forgoing traditional on-camera press conferences, a move widely criticized by the press corps. Spicer’s deputy press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, filled in for Spicer frequently after Dubke’s departure. Both The Times and ABC News report Trump did not ask for Spicer’s resignation. Spicer, 45, served as the communications director for the Republican National Committee before joining the White House six months ago.