Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been promoted to White House Press Secretary.

The announcement was made at a press briefing that included the incoming White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.

The former deputy replaces Sean Spicer, who resigned this morning at the same time of Mr Scaramucci's appointment. Mr Spicer had been serving in a dual role as head of the communications team and press secretary since the May 2017 resignation of Mike Dubke after just three months on the job.

Ms Sanders took over conducting the press briefings from Mr Spicer, many off camera to the chagrin of the White House press corps and others, the past few months after rumours swirled that Mr Spicer was being replaced.

She said of Mr Spicer's resignation that he understood that the President wanted to "bring in and add new people to the team" and said it "speaks volumes about who he is" in stepping down and letting the communications team to start anew.

Mr Spicer will be staying on until August 2017 to help with transitioning Ms Sanders and Mr Scaramucci into their new roles.

Ms Sanders, the daughter of former Arkansas Governor and erstwhile presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, said the work of those in the West Wing was to focus on doing what Mr Trump was elected to do.

She advised the press to get past the "ridiculousness of all things Russia and Russia fever".

However, she was unable to answer a question about the structure of the team and who reports to whom, only saying that "we all serve at the pleasure of the President".