Karoline Leavitt's decision to leave her position as White House press secretary has renewed attention on one of the most demanding communications jobs in American government. Leavitt, who became the youngest person to hold the position, is due to leave at the end of August. She said she was stepping down to spend more time with her family, while President Donald Trump praised her performance and said she would remain an outside adviser.
Her departure also provides an opportunity to examine why the position has historically been difficult for those who occupy it. The press secretary must serve as the administration's public voice while facing a White House press corps whose job is to question and scrutinise its decisions.
