(CNN) ––
Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary and current chief of staff for First Lady Melania Trump, resigned on Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately, a White House official said.
This, in the wake of the violent protests, added the source.
Grisham was one of the Trump administration's longest-serving officials.
He began working for then-candidate Donald Trump in 2015 in the press area of the electoral campaign.
Later, Grisham entered the White House as an assistant press secretary under the direction of Sean Spicer.
But, in March 2017, Melania Trump hired her to her East Wing cabinet.
As communications director for the East Wing, Grisham was quickly the first lady's most prominent staff member.
In that role she acted as an advocate, enforcer, and often protector of Melania Trump.
“It has been an honor to serve the country in the White House.
I am very proud to have been a part of Mrs. Trump's mission to help children everywhere.
And proud of the many accomplishments of this administration, ”Stephanie Grisham told CNN in a statement.
The first lady's office did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.
LEE: Grisham leaves as White House Press Secretary without having held a conference
President Donald Trump's incitement and refusal to condemn the violence has sparked further discussion among his aides about resigning.
Only 14 days remain in the Trump administration, and the last days for many attendees will be before January 20.
However, many are disgusted by the president's behavior and no longer believe that they can serve him.
It remains to be seen if more people will join Grisham in his decision to resign.
But, the level of frustration within the White House creates a growing sense that Trump will be more isolated than ever in his final days in office.
In May 2019, Trump chose Stephanie Grisham to be his third press secretary.
This, in addition to assuming the role of Director of Communications for the White House and maintaining the same position for the first lady.
A "trifecta" of jobs that had not previously been entrusted to a single person.
Grisham, who replaced Sarah Sanders as Press Secretary, was in office for just under a year.
Notably, he never held an on-camera press conference.
Something that for decades has been standard operating procedure for the position of White House press secretary.
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Ultimately, Grisham clashed with recently appointed White House Secretary General Mark Meadows by disagreeing on multiple issues.
From communication strategies for the president to personnel decisions.
Which created a rift between the press office and Meadows, according to an official.
In April of last year, Grisham was replaced by Kayleigh McEnany as press secretary.
Grisham returned to the first lady's office in an expanded position and became her chief of staff.
The position he held until his departure this Wednesday.
Grisham's decision to resign two weeks before the Trumps left the White House was precipitated by several months of consternation and strife, said another senior White House official familiar with his considerations.
The official described Grisham as having a "very close" relationship with the first lady.
Although Wednesday's resignation was not the first time Grisham considered leaving his post.
The official said Grisham faced a number of challenges.
Also, what the source described as a "campaign of rumors" and "impediments" launched by adversaries in the West Wing.
Grisham had also expressed in recent months his desire to live closer to his family in the US Midwest.
White House Melania Trump Resignation Stephanie Grisham