Major cable news news: Fox News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett announced on Wednesday that he will leave the network early next month — and head back to print journalism.
Garrett is going to the National Journal, where he'll be "reporting and providing analysis across all of National Journal Group's publications. " There, he'll join Sue Davis, recently hired away the Wall Street Journal, to lead the Journal's Congressional coverage.
Garrett’s announcement comes a month after Fox News gained a coveted front row seat in the White House Press Briefing Room.
He joined Fox News in 2002.
Here’s the full release from Fox News:
MAJOR GARRETT RETURNS TO PRINT JOURNALISM
Leaves FOX News September 3rd
FOX News’ Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett announced today that he will leave the network effective September 3rd to return to his roots in print journalism. White House correspondents Wendell Goler and Mike Emanuel will assume joint coverage of the beat.
In making the announcement, Garrett said, “Slightly more than eight years ago, [FOX News Chairman & CEO] Roger Ailes, [former FOX News Executive Vice President] John Moody and [former FOX News Washington Managing Editor and current Senior Political Analyst] Brit Hume created a full-time reporting position for me in the Washington bureau. Our new Senior Vice President of News, Michael Clemente, has continued that support. Since August of 2002, the network and its top executives have given me every opportunity a journalist could hope for. I thank the network for giving me the chance to grow as a reporter and broadcaster.”
He continued, “Throughout my television career, I’ve known with certainty I would someday return to my roots in print journalism. That day has come. I will soon announce an exciting new phase of my career — one made possible in no small part by FOX News’ consistent support. It would take a lot – something near perfection – to lure me away from the best job I’ve ever had. Details to come.”
Garrett further remarked, “I will miss many dear FOX News journalists, colleagues and friends. I wish all of them success. I look forward to discussing my future work on FOX News – keeping in touch with an audience I’ve come to know and cherish. Before I leave FOX News, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every viewer who extended to me their generous good wishes, support and encouragement.”
Michael Clemente, Senior Vice President of News Editorial for FOX News added, “There are reporters and then there are truly tenacious reporters who come along every so often. Major Garrett is a fact-finding machine, and wherever he goes he will continue to serve an audience that is thirsting for genuine reporting and balance. We wish him the best as he turns this page.”
Joining FOX News from CNN in 2002, Garrett served as the network’s chief White House correspondent since January 2009. Prior to that, he held the position of congressional correspondent reporting on House and Senate races and providing extensive coverage of the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections. Before embarking on a television career, Garrett spent seven years at the Washington Times as its congressional reporter and later a deputy national editor.
