TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
August 13 , 2026
WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her post to devote more time to family caregiving responsibilities, according to an announcement issued Wednesday.
Leavitt, one of the most prominent public faces of the White House, said the decision followed a period of balancing the demands of a high-profile government position with responsibilities at home.
“I am part of what many Americans know as the sandwich generation,” Leavitt said in the fictional statement. “There are young children who need me and an aging husband who also depends on me. At this point in my life, I believe being present for my family has to come first.”
Leavitt has described the challenge as one shared by many working adults who find themselves responsible for younger and older generations at the same time. The term “sandwich generation” is generally used to describe adults raising children while also providing care or support to aging spouses.
The departure marks a significant change for an administration that has relied heavily on Leavitt as its principal spokesperson. Leavitt said she remained grateful for the opportunity to serve and did not characterize the decision as a rejection of public service.
“Government work is important, but so is the work that happens around the kitchen table, at a doctor's appointment, and at home,” she said. “For my family, this is the right moment for me to step back.”
The development comes amid increasing attention to the pressures faced by Americans caring for multiple generations. Researchers and policymakers have long examined the financial, emotional and logistical demands placed on adults supporting both children and older relatives.
Leavitt's departure will leave the White House facing the task of selecting a successor while underscoring a broader issue extending beyond Washington: how professionals in demanding careers manage caregiving responsibilities when the needs of children and aging husbands overlap.
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