Trump Spends Weekend With Karoline Leavitt’s Potential Replacement

In March 2025, she was appointed acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, placing her in charge of overseeing federal criminal and civil prosecutions in the state.

Her tenure in the position ended in December 2025 after an appeals court determined that her appointment did not comply with federal requirements, forcing her to step down from the role.

“But do not mistake compliance for surrender,” she wrote in a statement shared on X. “This decision will not weaken the Justice Department, and it will not weaken me.”

Several other candidates have also been mentioned as potential replacements for Leavitt.

Those whose names have surfaced in recent discussions include Trump’s chief of protocol, Monica Crowley; CNN commentator Scott Jennings; former Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller; Leavitt’s deputy, Anna Kelly; and former administration official and conservative podcaster Katie Miller, who is married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

According to sources familiar with internal White House discussions, conversations about possible candidates for the role remain ongoing.

One of those two sources described Leavitt’s exit as “unplanned,” adding that her position is “a super important job” for the president.

However, the source told the UK’s Mirror, “There is probably time before he makes a decision.”

Leavitt announced last week that she was stepping down.

Leavitt took maternity leave in April, prompting changes to how press briefings will be handled.

In March, it was reported that Deputy Press Secretary Kelly was widely viewed as a leading internal candidate to step into Leavitt’s role.