WASHINGTON • Ms Hope Hicks' impending departure comes after a number of Trump aides have left. Here are the main ones who have come and gone in the first 13 months of Mr Donald Trump's presidency:
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER MICHAEL FLYNN
Mr Flynn entered the White House with a cloud over him - he had been fired by former president Barack Obama as defence intelligence chief and was deeply distrusted across the intelligence community. He was also being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for his contacts with Russians. He lasted only 22 days, forced out on Feb 13 last year.
PRESS SECRETARY SEAN SPICER
Mr Spicer's troubles began immediately when he defended his boss' false claim about the size of the crowd at his inauguration. He instantly lost credibility with the media, and became the favourite administration target of the comedy show Saturday Night Live, played as an oafish and irritable Trump fall guy. Increasingly ineffective, he resigned on July 21.
CHIEF OF STAFF REINCE PRIEBUS
The faceless former chairman of the Republican National Committee was supposed to manage the White House workforce and control the door to Mr Trump's office. But he couldn't manage the President himself, leaving the West Wing to sink into chaos. He left on July 31, to be replaced by retired Marine Corps general John Kelly.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI
"The Mooch" was in and out of the White House in a record 10 days. He alienated Mr Kelly with his brash public play for the chief of staff job after Mr Priebus quit. And his bid for public attention - he was immediately a late night TV icon for his tailored suits and slicked back hair - was a no-no for Mr Trump.
CHIEF STRATEGIST STEVE BANNON
The architect of Mr Trump's nationalist-populist political stance, Mr Bannon was nicknamed the Prince of Darkness and the Shadow President. After Gen Kelly arrived, his clashes with other Trump advisers became untenable, as did his ties to the extreme right, which drew accusations that Mr Trump represented racists. Mr Bannon left on Aug 18.
HEALTH SECRETARY TOM PRICE
Mr Price spearheaded Mr Trump's pledge to "repeal and replace" Obama-era health care reforms. The Health and Human Services Secretary was forced to resign on Sept 20 when it emerged that he had taken 26 trips last year on chartered private aircraft, costing the US taxpayer around US$400,000 (S$530,000).
STAFF SECRETARY ROB PORTER
Mr Porter handled the documents that went to and from Mr Trump's desk. But he had a secret: his two former wives both accused him of domestic violence. When this came to light early last month, raising security issues, he was forced to step down, although he denies the claims. At the time, he was dating Ms Hicks.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
