Inside the high-stakes campaign to replace Karoline Leavitt, as she announces her pregnancy. Here are some of the ambitious women lined up to take the podium
A quiet campaign is already brewing among DC's most sterling communicators eager to catch the president's eye.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed on Friday that she and her husband are expecting a baby girl.
'My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can't wait to watch our son become a big brother,' Leavitt told Fox News Digital. 'My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.'
At 28, Leavitt has impressed political observers with her lightning-quick responses and pugnacious takedowns. A senior White House official said Friday that Leavitt will remain in her position in the White House and she also recently told Daily Mail she's staying put for the full four years, calling the role a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But there can be little doubt that this happy news has turbo-charged suspicions that others in DC are interested in auditioning for her job. And in the Capital no one waits for vacancies to actually open up before beginning their campaign to fill them.
Prior to Leavitt's pregnancy announcement, the Daily Mail learned that a quiet, high-stakes campaign was already brewing among DC's most sterling communicators eager to catch the president's eye.
We spoke to half a dozen current and former Trump officials to identify the top contenders for a post-Leavitt era.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavit, 28, holds an enviable post in the Trump administration. Some insiders told the Daily Mail who may make a good backup for the secretary
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin was suggested as a possible press secretary by multiple current and former Trump administration officials
The DHS flak regularly appears on cable news in defense of the administration's deportation efforts. She's known to get combative when hosts spar with her over immigration
All of those named to the Daily Mail are female.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tricia McLaughlin, was mentioned by three sources.
'She's the top choice for 90 percent of the admin,' according to one insider.
A former White House official agreed: 'Tricia is a good name.'
McLaughlin regularly speaks for the Trump administration's most controversial agency and is the tip of the spear when it comes to defending deportation operations.
Appearing on Fox News almost weekly, the DHS spokeswoman is comfortable with the high-profile cable news circuit - even on less friendly outlets like CNN.
But Karoline, the source noted, would leave, 'some pretty large shoes to fill.' And, however impressive McLaughlin's performance in her current role, they admitted: 'I don't know if Tricia checks that box.'