WSJ: Schlapp Being Considered for Hicks' Role

White House communications aide Mercedes Schlapp is said to be in the running to replace Hope Hicks as communications director, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Hicks abruptly resigned Wednesday following a nine-hour meeting with the House committee investigating Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election where she told the panel she occasionally told white lies for President Donald Trump.

Schlapp currently handles strategic planning for the press office, and has been in her role since September after Hicks was formally promoted to communications director. Schlapp is the wife of Matt Schlapp, a longtime GOP strategist who is president of the American Conservative Union.

White House chief of staff John Kelly is said to be considering external candidates as well, according to Politico, but aides told the news outlet that a decision was far from being made. Trump has had five communications directors since December 2016, including Jason Miller, Sean Spicer, Mike Dubke, Anthony Scaramucci and Hicks.

Related Stories:

• Michael Reagan: Hope Hicks' Departure Is a 'Big Shakeup'
• Hope Hicks Appears Before House Panel in Russia Probe