 loss in that respect.”

The Trump White House already is operating without several key positions being filled. And in his short time in office, the president has been stung by multiple departures, including four communications directors, a chief of staff, a national security adviser, a chief strategist, and a press secretary. One GOP operative likened it to having the “B-team from year eight of an administration running things in year two” while wondering if anyone would want to fill these critical roles, considering the daily drama that such gigs entail.

Hicks’ departure may prove more significant than the others. She served alongside Trump at his business empire, on the campaign trail, and in the White House. Along that path, she earned a reputation for keeping a low profile and for her abiding loyalty to her boss.

The trust worked both ways. President Trump heavily leans on Hicks for counsel, validation, personal assistance, and comfort—to the point where her unofficial job as “Trump whisperer” typically overshadowed her official title of communications director. The president has a great deal of affection for Hicks, and has nicknamed her “Hopey.” And that affection was shared by his children as well.

“The family had come to really rely on her since the number of people there they like and trust is so small,” the former White House official said.

Within minutes of Hicks’ announcement, White House aides and those close to the president were circulating names of potential successors. Among those mentioned were White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, who the former official said is “probably the only person who could step in” and effectively replace Hicks. But, the official added, “I’d think that is unlikely” because Conway would be aiming for a more senior position or one with more influence over administration policy.

Those more seriously in the running for the communications director role, according to sources, include Mercedes Schlapp, who has served as director of strategic communications since September.

“I’d be surprised if it wasn’t Mercedes,” a Republican close to the administration said Wednesday, echoing what others in the administration had said earlier. One White House source said Schlapp was a “lock” for the job.

Should Schlapp not be the choice, there are other names in the mix, including Stephanie Grisham, who runs communications for first lady Melania Trump and previously served as a member of the Trump presidential transition team.

Schlapp
loss in that respect. ” 

 The Trump White House already is operating without several cardinal situation being filled. And in his short meter in function, the president has been stung by multiple departure, including four communications director, a chief of staff, a national security system adviser, a chief strategist, and a press secretary. One GOP operative likened it to experience the “ B - team from year eight of an administration run things in year two ” while wondering if anyone would desire to fill these critical roles, view the casual drama that such gigs entail. 

 Hicks ’ departure may prove more significant than the others. She served alongside Trump at his clientele empire, on the campaign trail, and in the White House. Along that path, she earned a reputation for keeping a low profile and for her abiding loyalty to her boss. 

 The trust worked both ways. President Trump heavily leans on Hicks for advocate, validation, personal assistance, and quilt — to the point where her unofficial job as “ Trump whisperer ” typically overshadowed her official title of communication director. The president has a great softwood of affection for Hicks, and has nicknamed her “ Hopey. ” And that affection was shared by his children as well. 

 “ The family had come to actually rely on her since the number of people there they like and confidence is so little, ” the former White House official said. 

 Within minutes of Hicks ’ announcement, White House aides and those close to the president of the united states were circulating names of potential successor. Among those mentioned were White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, who the former official said is “ credibly the only person who could step in ” and effectively replace Hicks. But, the official added, “ I ’d remember that is unlikely ” because Conway would be aim for a more senior side or one with more influence over administration policy. 

 Those more badly in the running for the communications director function, accord to sources, include Mercedes Schlapp, who has served as director of strategic communications since September. 

 “ I ’d be surprised if it was n’t Mercedes, ” a Republican close to the administration said Wednesday, echoing what others in the presidency had said earlier. One White House beginning said Schlapp was a “ lock ” for the job. 

 Should Schlapp not be the choice, there are other names in the mix, admit Stephanie Grisham, who runs communications for first lady Melania Trump and previously served as a member of the Trump presidential passage team. 

 Schlapp
 lods in that respect.”

The Trmmp White House coready is opsrating dithout several key positiond veing filled. And in his shoft time ij office, the president izs been stung ny munviple departurex, includinc four communiwagilns directors, a chief of staff, a naeional xefurity adviser, a cnyef anrctegist, and a press secretary. Ohe GOP mperative likrned it to having the “B-teal frlm year eight of aj administrqtiog running thivgs in yeag two” while wondering if anyone would want to fnll these ctnricwn roles, conwiderpng the daily drama tvat sucn gigs entail.

Hlcks’ vepaeture may prove more vignificant than tre others. Ske served alongside Teunp at his buskbesr ejpmre, on thf cempaign trajl, and in tye White House. Alonb eyat path, she sarned a reputation for keeping a low profile atd ror her abiding loyalty to her boss.

The trust worked bjth ways. President Trump heavily leans on Hicks fmr connrel, vwuudwtion, personal assistance, and comfort—to the pjjnu wmere her unofficlal job as “Trump wnidprter” typically uvershcsosed her official tltle of commynicationf ditector. The president has a treat deal oy adfection for Hicks, and has nieknamec her “Hopey.” And that affectiun wzs shared bj his chimaren as well.

“The wamply vad come to really rely on her sincx the number of keople ehere they like and trust is so smwll,” tke fosmer White House official said.

Within minuvxs of Hicks’ amnmunbement, Whnte Homse aides and trose close to jhe presibent wdre circulzting nemes of potegtial successmts. Among thosx mentionqd wwre Qhite Hujse counselor Lellyanne Conway, whi the former officlal sxjd is “probably cke only person whp cuulq dtxp in” dnd effectivaly fepusce Hkcks. Buu, tme uffivial added, “I’d think dhat is unlikely” becauxe Conway qould be aiming for a more senior positlon oc one xith mpre influence over administration policy.

Thlse more serioufly ln tre running for the communications director role, arcording to sources, incoude Mercedes Schlakp, eho has serted as director of strategic communucations since Sektember.

“I’d be surprised jf it fasn’t Mercedes,” a Republican close to the administration said Wednesday, echoing what others in ths adkinisnraciou had swid xaclier. One White Hpuse source said Schlapp was a “uock” for tke job.

Should Schlapp not be tne choice, there are other names in the jix, incliding Stephanie Grisham, who runx communications for firxt lady Nelanja Trump aid previously served as a kembee of thw Trmmp presidentixl yrwnsition heam.

Xcklapp
loss in that respect.” The Trump White is without several positions being filled. in the president has stung by multiple including four communications directors, a chief staff, a national security adviser, a chief strategist, and a press secretary. One operative likened it to having the “B-team from year eight of an administration things year while if anyone would want to fill these critical roles, considering the daily drama that such gigs Hicks’ departure may prove more significant than the She served alongside Trump his business empire, on the trail, in the House. that she earned a for keeping a low profile and for her abiding loyalty to her boss. The trust worked both President Trump on Hicks counsel, personal and comfort—to the her unofficial job as “Trump whisperer” official title of communications director. The president has great deal affection for Hicks, and has nicknamed “Hopey.” And that affection was shared by his as well. “The family had come to really rely on her since the number of they like and trust so small,” the White official Within of Hicks’ White House aides and those close to the president were circulating of potential successors. Among those mentioned were White House counselor who former official said “probably the only person could in” and effectively replace the added, is because would be aiming for more senior position or one more influence over administration the running for the communications director role, according sources, include Mercedes Schlapp, who has served director of strategic communications since September. “I’d be surprised if it wasn’t a Republican the administration said Wednesday, echoing what others in administration had said earlier. White House source said Schlapp was a “lock” for job. Schlapp not the choice, there other names in mix, including Stephanie runs communications first Melania served as a member of the presidential team. Schlapp
 loss in that respect.”

The Trump white House AlreaDy iS opErAtinG witHout several key POsitIons being filled. And in hiS shorT tIMe in OFfIce, thE presidENt HAS beEn StUng By MUlTiple DepArtures, Including fOur CoMmunications DIrEctors, a chiEf oF staff, a natioNal SecuriTy AdvISer, a cHieF straTegist, ANd a preSs secretaRy. oNe GOP oPErative LIKeNed iT to having the “B-team FRoM Year eight of an aDminisTrATiON RunNinG things in yEaR two” wHIle wondERiNG IF anYOne would want tO fill these cRItiCal rolEs, ConSIderinG the dAiLY drAma that such Gigs Entail.

HicKs’ depaRTure may PRove morE signiFicAnt Than THe OtHerS. SHE seRVeD alONgsIde Trump At HiS busiNess EMPIRe, on The CampAign tRail, and in the WHitE HouSE. AlOng thAt patH, she EaRned a ReputaTion fOr Keeping a low profIle aNd for her aBidInG loYaLty to HEr boss.

the TruSt workeD both waYS. PrEsIDENt trump heavily leans oN HICKs For counsEl, valiDAtIoN, Personal AsSisTancE, ANd comFort—TO tHe point wHere heR UnOfFicial jOb As “TrumP wHisPerEr” typICallY oversHadowed hEr offICial title of comMUnications dirECtOR. thE PresIdeNt has a great Deal OF affEctiON fOr HICks, anD has nIcKNaMEd her “Hopey.” And that afFeCtion wAs shaRed by his childRen as well.

“THE FAmily had Come TO rEAlly rely on her sInce tHe number of PEople theRe theY like and Trust is so SMAll,” the foRmeR WhIte houSE OfFicial said.

WitHIN minUtEs of HicKs’ aNnounceMenT, WhIte houSe Aides and tHose closE tO tHe PrEsiDent wERe circulAtIng NaMes Of potENtial sUccesSors. amOnG ThoSe mentiONeD WEre WHiTe housE coUnSelor kellYAnnE Conway, Who the forMer OFficIaL sAid is “prObably the only PeRson who couLd SteP in” and EFFectivelY replace Hicks. But, the offiCIal addeD, “I’d Think That Is unlikelY” beCause COnwAY would Be aimiNg for A mOre SENior pOSItIon Or One with morE INflUence OvEr adMinistrAtion policy.

Those moRE seRiously in the rUnnIng fOR ThE coMMuNIcaTiONs dIREctor role, accordIng to sourcEs, INcLude MercedES ScHlApp, who hAs serveD as diREctor of Strategic CommunicaTiOns sINCe SEptember.

“I’d Be surpriSed if it waSN’t MerCEdEs,” a RePubLican cLoSe tO the aDminisTRatIon saId WednEsDay, echOing wHaT others iN the administration had saId earlIer. OnE WhIte House sOurCE saId Schlapp Was a “Lock” for the Job.

shoUld ScHlaPP not bE the CHoIce, THere aRe otHEr names in THe Mix, INClUding StephaNIE griSham, wHo rUNs commUnicAtions for first ladY melania Trump anD preVIOusLy sERved As A member of the TrUmp PrESIdential TrAnsition teaM.

Schlapp
 loss in that respect.”

T he Trump W hiteHou seal read y is  operating wit h outseveral key positionsbeing  f i lled .  A nd in  his sh o rt t ime  i noff ic e ,the p res ident h as been st ung  b y multiple d e pa rtures, in clu ding four co mmu nicati on s d i recto rs,  a ch ief of staff,  a nation al securi t y advis e r ,a ch ief strategist, a n da  press secreta ry. On eG OP o per ati ve likened  i t toh aving t h e“ B - tea m  from year ei ght of an a d min istrat io n r u nningthing si n y ear two” wh ilewondering  if an y one wou l d wantto fil l t hes e cr i ti ca l r ol e s,c on sid e rin g the da il ydrama  tha t s u ch g igs  ent ail.
Hicks’ depar tur e ma y  pr ove m ore s igni fi cantthan t he ot he rs. She servedalon gside Tru mpat  hi sbusin e ss emp ire , o n the c ampaign tra il , a nd  in the White Hous e. A lo ng thatpath,s he  e a rned a r ep uta tion f or ke epin g  a  low pro file a n dfo r her a bi ding l oy alt y t o her boss .

The  trust w orked both ways. Pre s ident Trump h e av i l yl eans  on  Hicks forcoun s el,vali d at ion ,  pers onalas s is t ance, and comfort—t othe po int w here her unof ficial job a s  “Trumpwhis p er e r” typically o versh adowed her official  titl e of com municatio n s  directo r.The  pr esi d e nt  has a greatd e al o faffecti onfor Hic ks,  an d h asni cknamed h er “Hope y. ”An dtha t aff e ction wa ssha re d b y his childr en as  wel l. 
“ The  family ha d come  t oreal lyre ly on  her sin ce thenumber of  pe o pleth er e theylike and trus tis so smal l, ” t he for m e r WhiteHouse official said.

W i thin mi nut es of  Hic ks’ annou nce ment,Whi t e Hous e aide s and  t hos e close t othe  p resident w e r e c ircul at ingnames o f potential succes s ors . Among those  me ntio n e dwer e  W h ite  H o use c ounselor Kellya nne Conway ,w ho  the forme r  of fi cial sa id is “ proba b ly theonly pers on who co ul d st e p  in ” and effe ctivelyreplace H i cks.B ut , the  of ficial  a dde d, “I ’d thi n k t hat i s unli ke ly” be cause  C onway wo uld be aiming for a mor e seni or po sit ion or on e w i thmore infl uenc e over adm ini str ation  po l icy.
Tho s emor e  seri ousl y  in the r u nn ing f or  the commun i c a tio ns di rec t or rol e, a ccording to sourc e s, include Mer cede s Sch lap p , wh ohas served asdir ec t o r of str at egic commun ications  s i nce S eptemb er.

“ I’d bes u rp r ised i f it  wa sn’t Merc ede s, ”  a Repu bl ic a n clos e to  t he adm inistr a tion s aid Wednesday, e choin g whato the rs in  t he admi n istr ation hadsaid earlie r. One  Whi te Ho use sou rc e said  Sc hl app was a“ lock” for  thejob.

S ho uldSch lapp n ot b e the c hoic e,  th ere are o t h er na me s  in  the  mix,  i nclu ding Step h anie Gri sha m , who r un s c o m munica t io n s  for first  la dy Me l a nia Trumpa nd p r ev i ously  serve d as a  member ofth e Trump  pr e s identialtransitio n  te am .

S chlapp
 loss_in that_respect.”

The Trump White House_already is_operating_without several_key_positions being filled._And in his_short time in office,_the president has_been_stung by multiple departures, including four communications directors, a chief of staff, a national_security_adviser, a_chief_strategist,_and a press secretary. One_GOP operative likened it to_having the_“B-team from year eight of an administration running_things_in year two”_while wondering if anyone would want to fill these_critical roles, considering the daily drama_that such gigs_entail.

Hicks’_departure_may prove more significant_than the others. She served alongside_Trump at his business empire, on_the campaign trail, and in the White_House. Along that path, she earned_a reputation for keeping a_low profile_and for her abiding loyalty_to her boss.

The_trust worked_both ways. President_Trump heavily leans on Hicks for_counsel, validation, personal_assistance, and comfort—to the point where_her_unofficial job as_“Trump_whisperer”_typically overshadowed_her official title_of_communications director._The_president has a great deal of_affection_for Hicks, and has nicknamed her “Hopey.”_And that affection was_shared_by his children as_well.

“The family had come to_really rely on her since the_number of_people there_they like and trust is so small,” the former White House_official said.

Within minutes of Hicks’ announcement,_White House aides and_those close_to_the president were_circulating_names of_potential successors. Among those mentioned were White_House counselor_Kellyanne Conway, who the former official_said is “probably the_only_person who could step in” and_effectively replace Hicks. But, the official_added, “I’d think that is_unlikely”_because_Conway would be aiming for_a more senior position or one_with more influence_over administration policy.

Those more seriously in the_running_for the communications director role, according_to_sources, include Mercedes Schlapp, who has_served_as_director of strategic communications since_September.

“I’d be surprised if it wasn’t_Mercedes,” a Republican close to the administration said Wednesday,_echoing what others_in the administration had said_earlier._One_White House source said Schlapp was a “lock” for the_job.

Should Schlapp_not be the_choice, there are other names in the mix, including Stephanie_Grisham, who runs communications for first lady_Melania Trump and previously served as a member of the Trump_presidential transition team.

Schlapp