Kelly Sadler, a White House communications aide and the special assistant to President Donald Trump, no longer works in the Trump administration following a controversial comment she made about Sen. John McCain's (R., Ariz.) health earlier last month., according to three sources with knowledge of the matter.
Sadler faced backlash from the media and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle after she told her colleagues during a meeting that McCain's opposition to then-CIA director nominee Gina Haspel didn't matter because he was "dying" of terminal brain cancer. Sadler's remark was sparked by McCain's opposition to Haspel overseeing the so-called enhanced interrogation methods at the CIA following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying. I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination," McCain's press release read.
Sadler's comment was then leaked to the press and took over the news cycle for multiple days. The White House would not condemn her remark and was said to have assured her that she would not lose her job over the remark. She would go on to serve in the administration for almost a month until her recent departure, according to CNN.
The White House released a statement about Sadler.
"Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President." – White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said in the statement.
Sadler was responsible for compiling and distributing talking points to allies of the Trump administration.
Updated 7:25pm: Post was updated to include a statement from the White House.