Desiree Rogers leaving White House

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Desiree Rogers, the White House social secretary who came under criticism after two uninvited guests crashed the Obamas' first state dinner, is stepping down, White House officials said Friday.

Rogers, 50, a longtime friend to President Barack Obama and the first lady, is the first to quit among several Chicagoans in high-profile White House jobs.

A White House official said Julianna Smoot is the top candidate to replace Rogers. A leading fundraiser during Obama's presidential campaign, Smoot is chief of staff to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

Rogers was widely disparaged after a Virginia couple made their way into the Obamas' state dinner in honor of the Indian prime minister Nov. 24. While the Secret Service accepted the lion's share of the blame, Rogers became a target for critics because a member of the social secretary's staff did not keep a checklist as guests entered, as had typically been done in the past.

Rogers attended the dinner as a guest, breaking with the custom that calls for a social secretary to work the night to ensure the soiree goes smoothly.