With White House press secretary Sean Spicer working in the Pentagon this week to fulfill his Naval Reserve duty, President Donald Trump is reportedly asking his aides if Spicer should be removed from press briefing duty moving forward.
Politico reported Trump is essentially holding tryouts in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. Last Friday and again Wednesday, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders filled in for Spicer.
Politico noted Tuesday evening's announcement Trump had fired FBI director James Comey was somewhat bungled by the White House communications team, in part because Spicer and his associates did not have a whole lot of notice. Trump was reportedly upset Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held a news conference after the dismissal was announced before anyone on Trump's side was able to step behind the mic and defend the decision.
CNN's Jim Acosta tweeted Wednesday that Trump and other high-ranking White House officials are considering making Sanders the face of the administration instead of Spicer:
Politico cites people in the White House as saying Trump is happy with the ratings Spicer's news conferences receive, but not his sometimes combative style.
Sanders told Politico any talk of her taking Spicer's position in the briefing room is "another ridiculous story."
The Washington Post's David Nakamura said Sanders' performance Wednesday was calming and friendly, rather than rapid and fiery.
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