White House communications director and Donald Trump confidant Hope Hicks announced her resignation on Wednesday.
The New York Times was first to report that Hicks informed the White House of her resignation. Hicks has been considering leaving the White House for "several months," according to reports.
"She told colleagues that she had accomplished what she felt she could with a job that made her one of the most powerful people in Washington, and that there would never be a perfect moment to leave," the Times reported, citing White House aides.
Hicks, 29, thanked President Trump in a statement announcing her resignation.
"There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump," she said. "I wish the president and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country."
Trump called Hicks "outstanding" in his own written statement on her departure.
"Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years. She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person," Trump said. "I will miss having her by my side but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood. I am sure we will work together again in the future."
Hicks' resignation came one day after her grueling nine-hour interview before the House Intelligence Committee, in which she earned flak for admitting that she often told "white lies" in defense of Trump.
Hicks first entered the Trump orbit when she worked for the public relations firm Hiltzik Strategies to represent Ivanka Trump's fashion line, and then other Trump properties. When Ivanka's father announced his presidential run, Hicks was hired as press secretary and quickly became one of Donald Trump's favorite advisers.
The 29-year-old was long considered one of the forces of stability in an often chaotic White House, but, according to reports, she angered some in the Oval Office when she drafted a statement defending accused wife beater Rob Porter, with whom she has been romantically linked.