During a briefing on April 22, the 28-year-old White House press secretary said, "As you know, I’m not part of the president’s political team anymore. I do sit here at the White House as a government employee," when asked about a Virginia redistricting vote. The line, delivered as she defended the president, immediately drew attention.
Video of the exchange spread online and critics questioned her wording — some joked, others wondered if she’d been demoted, fired or was preparing to quit. Commenters suggested she sounded like someone distancing herself from a sinking ship.