Sean Spicer Steps Down

Sean Spicer has resigned as White House press secretary, the New York Times reports. Per the Times' source, President Trump offered the job of White House communications director to New York financier Anthony Scaramucci at 10am Friday, and Spicer resigned shortly after, telling Trump he "vehemently disagreed" with the appointment. The source says Trump asked Spicer to reconsider, but Spicer refused, calling Scaramucci's appointment a "major mistake" and refusing to take a position under him. The Times frames Spicer's resignation as a "blow" to White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, since Priebus brought Spicer in while Trump was initially unsure of his loyalty; Priebus and Spicer worked together for years at the Republican National Committee.

It's been reported that Priebus, too, was opposed to Scaramucci for "various administration positions," but on Friday he said he supports Scaramucci as communications director "100%," calling him a "very good [friend]," the AP reports. Sources tell the Times Trump was frustrated Priebus was taking too long to find a new communications director and decided to go with Scaramucci despite Priebus believing he doesn't have the right experience for the job. Scaramucci and Priebus were set to meet Friday, per the Times, which notes that when Scaramucci was introduced, the communications hallway responded with applause. Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross are said to be in favor of Scaramucci's appointment. (More Sean Spicer stories.)