Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.Photo: Julie Jacobson/AP/REX/Shutterstock
PresidentDonald Trumpannounced Tuesday that his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has resigned and will be leaving her position at the end of the year.
Axios broke the news earlier on Tuesday morning, citing sources who said that Trump had accepted Haley’s resignation after the controversial former governor of South Carolina, 46, visited him at the White House last week.
CNN also reported thatHaley had resigned, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Haley, who has been one of Trump’s most trusted advisers, told her staff this morning, CNN said, citing a senior State Department official.
In a news conference about the decision, Haley said “There’s no personal reason … It’s very important for government officials to understand when it’s time to step aside.” The White House did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, but Trump expressed his approval of her work in her role and added, “Hopefully you’ll be coming back at some point but in a different capacity. You can have your pick.”
President Donald Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.Evan Vucci/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Before Trump’s announcement, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement to reporters, “President Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley will meet in the Oval Office at 10:30 a.m. this morning. This event will be open to the pool.”
Trump also tweeted that he would be making a “big announcement” with his “friend” Haley at that time.
Haley’s resignation was a shock to many senior foreign policy officials in the Trump administration, according to Axios.
RELATED VIDEO: U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley Blasts Russia in Emotional Speech After Syrian Chemical Attack
“By accepting gifts of luxury private flights, Ambassador Haley seems to be falling in line with other Trump administration officials who are reaping personal benefits from their public positions,” Noah Bookbinder, executive director of the group, said in a statement to Huffington Post. “Our ethics laws are clearly written to prevent even the appearance of corruption and improper influence.”
source: people.com
