White House spokesman Sean Spicer resigns

Carlos Barria—Reuters
FILE PHOTO: White House spokesman Sean Spicer holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. — White House spokesman Sean Spicer resigned on Friday, ending a brief, turbulent tenure that gained global notoriety, after President Donald Trump named adviser and Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci as his top communications official.A White House official said Spicer, 45, had resigned.Spicer’s departure reflected turmoil within Trump’s legal and communication teams amid an investigation into allegations of possible ties between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.Parodied memorably on the Saturday Night Live sketch comedy show for his combative encounters with the White House press corps, Spicer became one of the Trump administration’s most recognized figures after taking the job in December.He was sometimes targeted by critics for what they said were false or misleading statements. In recent weeks, Spicer has less frequently taken the lectern in the White House press room.Trump offered Scaramucci, a longtime supporter who has frequently appeared on television to defend him, the White House communications post.