India, Oct. 17 -- White House chief of staff Susie Wiles helped arrange Katie Zacharia's appearance on Fox News shortly before the new White House press secretary was removed from her position, Politico reported on Saturday, citing two people familiar with internal discussions.

The interview with host Sean Hannity aired on Thursday night and focused on Zacharia's qualifications and her troubled start in the role. She was ousted on Friday after just five days as press secretary.

One person familiar with the White House's internal dynamics described the appearance as a "sanctioned hit" on Zacharia, who was reportedly not Wiles' preferred choice for the position.

Another source alleged that Wiles and White House spokesperson Danielle Alva...