Hope Hicks, one of President Trump’s longest-serving advisers, is out of the White House. “She’s a little shy, but that’s O.K., because she is really, really talented. Hope, say a couple of words.” “Merry Christmas, everyone, and thank you, Donald Trump.” Hicks served as White House communications director. She announced her resignation a day after testifying for eight hours before the House Intelligence Committee, where she said that as part of her job, she occasionally told “white lies.” The Times reported that Hicks had been considering leaving her post for several months. In an administration that’s known for defying political norms, here’s another: Its communications director hardly ever communicated publicly. The 29-year-old was responsible for managing public statements of a president who’s often his own chief spokesman. “Get that son of a bitch off the field.” “I think there’s blame on both sides.” “One vote away. I will not mention any names.” That’s Hicks in the background. And there. And here. She was always seen, but rarely heard. She’s not active on Twitter, and she didn’t make TV appearances during her tenure in the White House. But Hicks became one of Trump’s most trusted advisers. Hicks was working for a high-powered P.R. firm that represented Ivanka Trump’s fashion line and Donald Trump’s real estate brand before Trump brought her on board in 2015. “I said, ‘What do you know about politics?’ She said, ‘Absolutely nothing.’ I said ‘Congratulations, you’re into the world of politics.’ Right?” Despite her lack of political experience, Hicks accepted. “I knew very little about politics, obviously. I wasn’t expecting to take part in this, and certainly not to play the role that I had.” She grew up in Greenwich, Conn.; majored in English; and was a champion lacrosse player in college. She told colleagues in the Trump White House that she had accomplished what she felt she could.