White House Speaker Kellyanne Conway, one of President Trump’s closest advisers, announced Sunday, on the eve of the Republican National Convention, that she will leave the administration at the end of the month. They informed the president of their decision on Sunday night in the Oval Office, according to a senior administration official.
In a statement on Sunday, Conway cited as the reason for her departure the challenges of distance learning for her four children this fall, “teens and ‘teens starting a new academic year, in high school and high school, on away from home for at least a few months. “
Her husband, George Conway, who is a vocal critic of Mr.Trump, “also makes changes,” Conway said. “We do not agree on many things, but we are united on what matters most: the children.”
George Conway announced Sunday night on Twitter, “That I am withdrawing from @ProjectLincoln spend more time on family matters. And I’ll take a Twitter hiatus. “He added,” Needless to say, I continue to support the Lincoln Project and its mission. Passionately. “The Lincoln Project, which was coofounded by George Conway spend millions on television commercials and digital campaigns to defeat Mr. Trump.
Kellyanne Conway also said of her departure, “This is entirely my choice and my voice,” and said that “on time” she will announce her plans for the future. She added, “For now, and for my beloved child, it will be less drama, more mom.”
Prior to her appointment as an adviser to the president, Conway served as the president’s campaign manager, his third in 2016, after Corey Lewandowski and Paul Manafort. Conway is the first woman to run a winning presidential campaign. On Wednesday night, she plans to address the Republican convention.
Here is Kellyanne Conway’s full statement:
The past four years have allowed me blessings above comparison as part of history at Election Night 2016 and as Senior Counselor for the President. It has been sudden. It’s humbling.
I am deeply grateful to the President for this honor, and to the First Lady, the Vice President and Mrs. Pence, my colleagues in the White House and the administration, and the countless people who support me and my work. As many convention speakers will demonstrate this week, President Trump’s leadership has had a measurable, positive impact on the nation’s peace and prosperity, and on millions of Americans who no longer feel forgotten.
The incredible men, women and children we have met along the way have confirmed my later-in-life experience that public service can be meaningful and effective. For all its political differences and cultural divisions, this is a beautiful country full of great people. The promise of America belongs to all of us. I will be leaving the White House at the end of this month.
George also makes changes. We do not agree on many, but we are united on what matters most: the children. Our four children are teenagers and ‘tweens starting a new academic year, in high school and high school, at least a few months from home to home. As millions of parents nationwide know, children “doing home schooling” require a level of attention and alertness that is as uncommon as these times.
This is entirely my choice and my voice. In time, I will announce future plans. For now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama.
Jenna Gibson and Fin Gomez contributed to this report.
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