More Shake-up at the White House: They're 'Tapped out' and Heading for the Exits

quote:

---

We’ve been reporting how there’s been a big shake-up over the past few months at the White House, particularly in the communications area.

One of the many changes was former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki finally heading for the exits last month, to be replaced by her deputy, now Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. But Psaki was also joined in making for the door by Assistant Press Secretary Vedant Patel (going to the State Department), Press Office Chief of Staff Amanda Finney (going to the Energy Department), White House Rapid Response Director Mike Gwin (going to the Treasury Department) and Michael Kikukawa (also going to Treasury). That’s a good chunk of the communications team and came as the media is losing patience with the White House.

The change doesn’t seem to have been for the better so far, as Jean-Pierre keeps having difficulties. They brought in ‘help’ on Wednesday — John Kirby, the new National Security Council coordinator for Strategic Communications but that didn’t seem to help much.

But that’s not the only place where there has been turnover and one senior administration official acknowledged that many aides are “tapped out.”

“It’s been a long few years,” the official said. “The burnout is real. It might not be the ideal time to leave with everything going on, but it’s the right time.”

The official explained the early summer months are considered the best time to leave before midterms season begins. “And then you’re really locked in,” they added.

---