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Embattled White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer Resigns, Replaced by Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Spicer has been missing from the briefing room in recent weeks.

Sean Spicer has resigned.

The embattled White House press secretary, known for his brusque demeanor and tangles with the press, was reportedly asked not to do so by President Trump.

Read: Sean Spicer in the Hot Seat as Trump Fumes Over Comey Backlash: Report

His resignation on Friday came after news broke that Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci was named as the new White House communications director.

Scaramucci, 53, said during an on-camera press briefing that there is "no friction" between he and Spicer, and noted that he planned to look to those already in the administration as he grew acclimated to the job. 

"I'm going to lean on people like Sarah," he said of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whom he announced will replace Spicer as White House press secretary. 

“He understood that the president wanted to bring in new people to the team and he wanted the president to have a totally clean slate," Sanders said of Spicer. 

Saying his stepping down "speaks volumes of who he is," Sanders said: "I think he’s served the president loyally and admirably." 

Spicer had kept a low profile in recent weeks, during which principal deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders had been handling the bulk of the daily briefings.

Prior to assuming the role of the executive branch's top spokesperson, 45-year-old Spicer worked as the communications director for the Republican National Committee.

During his handful of months in the role, Spicer became a favorite target of comedians for his galvanizing style and was famously lampooned on Saturday Night Live by actress Melissa McCarthy.

Speculation over a potential ouster of Spicer first arose in May after Trump's surprise firing of former FBI director James Comey.

Spicer appeared on Lou Dobbs Tonight to address the firing but was later seen hiding near bushes at the White House before emerging to answer questions in the dark while refusing to appear on camera.

It was widely believed at the time that Trump was unhappy with Spicer's handling of the situation.

Read: Sean Spicer Calls His Hitler Comments 'Inexcusable,' Says He Let the President Down

Multiple outlets reported that Trump was looking to send Spicer packing, but the former reality showman never uttered his famous phrase.

While the New York Times reported Friday that Spicer handed in his resignation after telling Trump "he vehemently disagreed with the appointment of the New York financier" as communications director, the White House has said Spicer is expected to help Scaramucci transition into his new role.

Watch: Will Sean Spicer Be the Next to Go After James Comey's Unexpected Firing?