Departures follow multiple news reports of inner turmoil at the White House
Two more press team departures were revealed by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday, as part of a continuing staff shakeup, as per yahoo.
Jean-Pierre confirmed the departure of White House rapid response director Mike Gwin and White House press assistant Michael Kikukawa to work in public relations at the US Treasury.
“On a sad note, our dear friend and colleague Michael Gwin will be leaving us for Treasury, where he will serve as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs,” Jean-Pierre said.
“Gwin has served as the White House director of rapid response for the past 16 months, responding to the most challenging and difficult issues imaginable. Yet amid these often emotionally wrenching stories, Gwin’s poise and moral clarity are unfailing, and his willingness and ability to step up has made him an indispensable member of the team.”
“And joining Gwin at the Treasury Department will be our very own Michael Kikukawa, where he will serve as a spokesperson,” she continued.
“Michael, better known here to all of you, to all of us, as Kiku, has served not just as a press assistant, but as the strong engine and reliable engine at the press shop. His relentless work ethic and dedication to the mission of this team have been second to none.”
The White House press corps is undergoing a staff shakeup ahead of the midterm elections, with former White House press secretary Jen Psaki leaving her job last month for a commentator gig at MSNBC.
The White House also announced last week that assistant press secretary Vedant Patel would be leaving to become the State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson and that the press office’s chief of staff, Amanda Finney, would be leaving for senior communications position at the Energy Department.
The administration has framed the departures as regular, but they come amid various news media stories of internal White House turmoil as Biden’s support numbers fall ahead of the midterms.