Now Jill Biden’s press secretary Michael LaRosa resigns amid exodus of WH communications staff

First lady Jill Biden‘s press secretary Michael DeRosa is leaving his post at the White House amid a flurry of communication staff departures.

LaRosa’s departure is no surprise, a White House official told CNN, claiming that the East Wing has known about his resignation for several weeks. His extension in the first lady’s office came due to a desire for LaRosa to assist with three high-profile foreign trips.

The latest staff exit continues to fuel speculation of troubles inside the White House with staffing, especially when it comes to the executive communications team.

Earlier this summer, Biden lost his Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and her Chief of Staff Amanda Finney followed her out the door. Shortly after in early July, White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield left the administration.

A person familiar with next steps said that LaRosa is staying in D.C. to join the public affairs firm Hamilton Place Strategies as managing director.

He has not yet weighed in publicly on his impending departure from the White House – but the first lady’s office is already interviewing candidates to replace him.

LaRosa started serving as Dr. Jill Biden’s spokesperson during the presidential campaign in 2019 and was appointed her press secretary immediately upon taking up residence at the White House in January 2021.

Last September, LaRosa took on the additional title of special assistant to the president.

‘For nearly three years, from the campaign to the White House, Michael has brought an encyclopedic knowledge of politics and media to my team as my spokesperson and adviser,’ Dr. Biden told CNN.

‘On a small team, loyalty and friendship are lifelong – we will miss Michael. However, we are excited for him to begin a new chapter in his career.’

LaRosa’s departure, which was known inside the East Wing for weeks, follows a mass exodus of other White House staff – including former Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki (second from L) earlier this summer

Most White House departures so far have come as the individuals take on different roles amid reports that some staff feel there is little room for upper movement or promotion in the administration.

The first notable exit came in December 2021 when Vice President Kamala Harris’ chief spokesperson Symone Sanders announced she was leaving. She landed at MSNBC with a self-titled show.

In the weeks and months following into early 2022, Harris senior aides Tina Flournoy, Ashley Etienne, and Vincent Evans all departed – as well as her public engagement head Cedric Richmond.

Some have dubbed the mass exodus at ‘Blaxit’ after it became clear an overwhelming amount of departures were among black staff.

Communications staff departures also include Vice President Kamala Harris’ former chief spokesperson Symone Sanders (left) and Psaki’s ex-chief of staff Amanda Finney (right)

Black staffers who have left the White House over the course of a few months include public engagement aide Carissa Smith; gender policy aide Kalisha Dessources Figures; National Security Council senior director Linda Etim; digital engagement director Cameron Trimble; and associate counsel Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo.

Departures also include Chief of Staff Ron Klain advisers Elizabeth Wilkins and Niyat Mulughetal; press assistant Natalie Austin; National Economic Council aides Joelle Gamble and Connor Maxwell; and presidential personnel aides Danielle Okai, Reggie Greer and Rayshawn Dyson.