Questions over Karoline Leavitt’s replacement as she steps down as White House press secretary – US politics live

Karoline Leavitt to Leave White House Press Secretary Role at End of August

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on August 12, 2026, that she will step down at the end of the month. President Donald Trump stated that Leavitt, 28, will depart to spend more time with her family. Leavitt described the decision as “bittersweet” in a social media post issued after the president’s announcement. She returned from maternity leave following the birth of her daughter on May 1, 2026, and cited difficulty balancing the demands of the position with motherhood.

Leavitt is the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary. Trump expressed support for her departure. She is expected to continue as an outside adviser to the president and to remain an influential Republican voice. The administration has not named a successor.

The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. The president’s party has historically lost seats in midterm elections. A tracker maintained by The Economist using YouGov polling placed Trump’s net approval rating at -27, described as a record low in that series.

In other developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent left last month’s NATO summit in Turkey on a decoy aircraft after an Iranian threat was identified, while Trump was transferred to a smaller military jet, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke on August 12.

A federal judge in Miami is scheduled to hear arguments on August 13 regarding whether Andrew and Tristan Tate should remain in custody while fighting extradition to the United Kingdom. The brothers face charges of rape and sex trafficking and have denied the allegations. Magistrate Lauren Louis will question both sides before deciding on detention during what could be a months-long process. The Tates have been held in a federal detention center in Miami since their court appearance two days after their July 18 arrest. Their attorneys have stated that the brothers’ public profile makes flight unlikely and that they regularly post location updates on social media. The U.S. attorney’s office has argued that the presumption against bail in international extradition cases supports continued detention.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to spend between $10 million and $20 million on “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices” known as G.L.O.V.E., which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. The devices function as standard patrol gloves until activated by an officer to deliver an electric shock upon direct skin contact. The purchase was disclosed in a notice published August 11 and first reported by The Associated Press. The Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, stated that it is working to ensure officers “have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens.” The gloves have previously been used by some local departments, primarily in jail settings. ICE officers have conducted arrests in vehicles and encountered protests during immigration enforcement operations.

Leavitt’s departure leaves the White House without a confirmed press secretary less than three months before the November elections. No replacement has been announced. The role involves daily communication of administration positions on legislation, foreign policy, and domestic enforcement actions. Leavitt held the position during the first portion of Trump’s term that began in January 2025.

The NATO summit security measures occurred after intelligence indicated a potential threat from Iran. Rubio and Bessent, the two highest-ranking Cabinet members present, departed on the decoy flight while the president used a separate military aircraft. The incident was described by the senior official as a precautionary step taken during the July summit in Turkey.

The Tate extradition case centers on charges filed in the United Kingdom. The brothers were arrested in the United States on July 18 and have remained in federal custody. Attorneys for the Tates have argued for release on the grounds that monitoring through social media activity and their public status would prevent flight. Prosecutors have maintained that standard procedures in extradition matters favor detention pending a hearing.

The G.L.O.V.E. devices are designed to produce pain without leaving burn marks or contact traces, unlike some conducted-energy weapons. ICE’s planned acquisition volume indicates distribution to a substantial portion of its officers and agents. Local law enforcement agencies that have used similar equipment have applied it mainly inside correctional facilities rather than during street operations. Protests have occurred at some ICE enforcement sites in connection with arrests carried out under current immigration statutes.

Trump’s approval rating of -27, as measured by the cited polling tracker, reflects aggregated survey data collected through early August 2026. Historical midterm patterns show the party holding the White House typically experiences net losses in House and Senate seats. The administration has not indicated how the press secretary transition will be managed through the election period.