Staffers are abuzz about the abrupt exit of the White House’s chief florist last month, the Washington Post reported Monday.
Laura Dowling joined the residence staff in 2009 after proving her prowess in a reality TV-style floral arranging competition, according to the report.
But Dowling was escorted from the White House on Feb. 13, an anonymous source in touch with current residence staffers told the newspaper.
The circumstances of that exit are unclear.
The East Wing confirmed to the Post that Dowling had left her position earlier this year, while the first lady’s office provided the newspaper with a statement praising the former chief florist’s work and wishing her well. Neither office revealed further details.
A statement from Dowling issued through her attorney didn’t shed much more light on the situation, either.
“After almost 6 years as Chief Floral Designer at the White House, I have resigned in order to pursue exciting new opportunities and explore my passion for floral artistry and design,” the statement read, as quoted by the Post. “Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be launching a new platform for my work as an author, speaker, instructor and design consultant that builds on the creative ideas and partnerships I’ve formed during my tenure there. It’s been such an honor to work at the White House and I will always be grateful for this incredible opportunity.”
