New White House Press Chief Is No Stranger to White House

Stephanie Grisham's workload just got heavier. Melania Trump's spokeswoman was on Tuesday named White House press secretary and communications director—new positions previously held by Sarah Sanders and Bill Shine. She'll fill them while retaining her job of two years as well, reports CNN. Melania Trump announced the news in a tweet, which read in part, "She has been with us since 2015 - @POTUS & I can think of no better person to serve the Administration & our country. Excited to have Stephanie working for both sides of the @WhiteHouse. #BeBest."

The 2015 bit is notable: Grisham joined the campaign that year, and is one of just two people in the White House (the other being Dan Scavino) who has been with the Trumps that long. She'll kick off her new position by traveling to Japan and Korea with the president this week. The Washington Post notes the White House hasn't had a communications director since March. Axios' inside take: "A number of influential people close to President Trump wanted Grisham in the job—and Trump has told people he likes her and trusts her." (More White House press secretary stories.)