Spicer Resigns As White House Press Secretary, Sanders Steps In
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBSMiami) -- Sean Spicer has resigned from his post as White House press secretary and Sarah Huckabee Sanders is taking over the post.
Friday afternoon, Sanders took the podium during the first on-camera White House press briefing since June 29th.
Sanders read a statement from President Donald Trump about Spicer's resignation saying in part, "I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings."
Moments later, Sanders announced New York financier Anthony Scaramucci as the new White House communications director.
In a statement, Trump said Scaramucci is "a person I have great respect for."
Trump's decision to pick Scaramucci reportedly did not bode well with Spicer - prompting him to resign on Friday. It's something that was addressed by Scaramucci.
"I would love to have Sean here. Sean decided that he thought it would be better to go," said Scaramucci. "I don't have any friction with Sean. I don't have any friction with Reince [Priebus]."
Spicer was a close associate of White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus but that put a target on his back as there were internal struggles between White House staffers. Recently, Spicer had taken on a more reduced role and not appeared on camera for a White House press briefing.
Spicer had an often-combative relationship with the press, which spawned a parody of him on Saturday Night Live.
He tweeted about his resignation on Friday saying it's been "an honor."
Scaramucci says he has a good relationship with the president.
"I love the president and the president is a very effective communicator," said Scaramucci.
As for Scaramucci and Trump's future with the media, he had an optimistic view about that.
"Listen, I'm a super optimistic guy," said Scaramucci. "I think that the president is going to have a phenomenal relationship with the press. We'll get there together."
Scaramucci said he does have Oval Office privileges as the new White House communications director. He also said he was committed to being transparent, but said he wanted to talk to President Trump and the new press secretary before he committed to more frequent on-camera briefings.
