Presented By

Departing White House Press Secretary Jay Carney marked his final press briefing from behind the White House podium Wednesday as he prepares to step down from the job on Friday.

Carney thanked President Barack Obama, White House staff, and the press one final time. “I don’t ever expect to be in a position again to be a part of something that has at least the potential to more good for more people, and that has been a very special thing indeed,” he said.

A former TIME Magazine Washington bureau chief, Carney was previously the communications director for Vice President Joe Biden.

Carney’s deputy, Josh Earnest, will begin regular briefings from the podium Thursday. He will assume the post officially on Friday, when Carney will present him with the ceremonial flak jacket and the password to the @PressSec Twitter account.

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough entered the briefing for Carney’s final answers, and thanked the outgoing administration official on behalf of the president. “We are going to miss you dearly,” he said, before hugging Carney.

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

You May Also Like
EDIT POST