Pence: I respect Sean Spicer’s decision to ‘step aside’

Vice President Pence said Saturday that he respected White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s decision to “step aside,” calling the former RNC spokesman a “friend.”

Pence was asked Saturday whether Spicer’s resignation “sounds like it’s a resignation under protest,” and didn’t deny it. However, he said he respected Spicer’s decision.

Spicer resigned Friday after President Trump hired Anthony Scaramucci to take over as White House communications director. Spicer told Fox News he wanted to give Trump’s communication team a “clean slate.”

“Well, look: Sean Spicer has been a friend of mine for many years. He is a great guy. He served his country in uniform and served this administration in our first six months,” Pence told ABC News.

“And I respect his decision to step aside. I just wish him every continued success. And we’re just going to continue at this White House and to continue to focus on the agenda that carried President Trump to victory last fall,” Pence said.

{mosads}

Spicer confirmed his resignation on Twitter on Friday, saying he would remain in his post through next month. Spicer said Trump wanted him to stay on as press secretary, but Spicer refused. According to some reports, Spicer criticized the hiring of Scaramucci as a mistake for the administration. He has denied such friction publicly.

“It’s been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August,” Spicer wrote Friday.

In a statement, Trump praised Spicer’s time in the White House and especially his “great television ratings.”

“I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of my administration and the American people,” Trump said in a statement.

“I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings,” he said.