Shortly before 2 p.m., President Obama made a surprise announcement that White House Press Secretary Jay Carney has resigned. He will be replaced by Josh Earnest. Earnest had previously been the deputy White House spokesman.
Carney described his career as press secretary as "an amazing experience."
Rumors of his resignation began swirling in mid-March. Carney had served as press secretary since February of 2011. He replaced Robert Gibbs.
Reactions of the resignation on Twitter ranged from shocked to overjoyed, especially in light of the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shineski earlier today.
Today is the day Obama settles all family business
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) May 30, 2014
Jay Carney has resigned, set to be replaced by a kiosk. #RaiseTheWage
— Reaganomics (@Reaganomics3) May 30, 2014
Let's take a final moment to remember these 9,486 times Jay Carney didn't answer a question http://t.co/YWVLCFgWQa pic.twitter.com/PBAt6X2VTx
— Chris Moody (@moody) May 30, 2014
Obama, in surprise appearance in briefing room, says Jay Carney to step down as press secretary. #breaking
— Reuters Politics (@ReutersPolitics) May 30, 2014
Jay Carney: "I'm leaving! You won't have ol' Jay to kick around anymore!" https://t.co/cUxjf1pHg1
— Shoshana Weissmann (@senatorshoshana) May 30, 2014
Carney has not disclosed what he will be pursuing next.
