A White House official on Thursday shut down rumors that President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE is considering replacing press secretary Sean Spicer Sean Michael SpicerKellyanne Conway to leave White House at end of month Pro-Trump duo Diamond and Silk launch new program on Newsmax TV The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Supreme Court's unanimous decision on the Electoral College MORE with deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

“Every time people write this story they’re always wrong and people writing today are wrong,” an unidentified official told BuzzFeed News.

“Oh my god, for the billionth time no,” another Trump administration official added when asked about Spicer’s rumored ouster.

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The administration official told BuzzFeed that Spicer is finishing up 20 years with the Navy Reserve and is set to retire soon. His absence from the White House this week was long-planned and part of fulfilling his reserve duty.

The press secretary is out of the spotlight during one of the most volatile cycles of Trump’s presidency so far, following the firing of FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday.

Comey’s ouster sent shockwaves through Washington, with many questioning the timing of his dismissal.

Sanders has been filling in for Spicer since May 5, leaving her as one of the administration’s most visible faces after Comey’s exit.