Unexpected figure steps in for White House briefing as Karoline Leavitt begins maternity leave
A senior member of the administration is set to take on an additional public-facing role this week, as the White House adjusts its communications approach during a temporary leadership change.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the White House press briefing at 3 p.m. EST on Tuesday, stepping in while press secretary Karoline Leavitt is on maternity leave. The move comes as the administration holds its first formal briefing since Leavitt began her absence from the podium.
A growing list of responsibilities
Rubio’s appearance in the briefing room reflects an already expansive portfolio within President Donald Trump’s administration. In addition to serving as secretary of state, he has also taken on duties as acting national security adviser and acting head archivist of the National Archives.
He previously held a temporary leadership role at the US Agency for International Development before transferring responsibility for its “closeout” to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought.
The accumulation of assignments has led to Rubio being informally labeled “Secretary of Everything,” a nickname he acknowledged with humor during a recent appearance in the briefing room. At the time, he joked that he had effectively become the new press secretary.
Transition inside the press office
Leavitt, 28, began her maternity leave ahead of the expected arrival of her second child with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. She had initially identified April 24 as her final day before stepping away, but briefly delayed that timeline following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting.
She returned to the podium in the immediate aftermath of the incident and addressed reporters before stepping back. “I hope, I pray that this is last time I speak to you for some time until after my maternity leave,” she said at the close of an April 27 briefing.
No single replacement has been appointed to assume Leavitt’s role during her absence, according to Politico. Instead, the White House communications operation is expected to be overseen by communications director Steven Cheung alongside members of Leavitt’s existing team.
Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet officials may also rotate through briefing duties in the coming weeks, as the administration maintains its regular engagement with the press.
Leavitt, who was appointed in November 2024 at age 28, became the youngest individual to serve as White House press secretary. Federal employees typically receive 12 weeks of parental leave, though the exact duration of her absence has not been specified.
