Nikki Haley, a rising Republican star, announced on Tuesday she was stepping down as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but knocked down speculation that she might challenge President Donald Trump at the next election.
Sitting beside Trump in the Oval Office, Haley said her 18-month stint at the United Nations had been "an honor of a lifetime" and that she would stay on until the end of the year.
A former governor of South Carolina and the daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley, 46, is the highest-profile woman in Trump's cabinet and has often been seen as a possible presidential candidate.
Haley said in her resignation letter to Trump that she would "surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020" and would instead support his re-election bid. She referred to returning to the private sector and some media reports said she had debts to pay off.
But Haley also said she did not have any future plans set, and her decision surprised many at the White House and the United Nations.
Trump said Haley had told him six months ago that she was thinking of leaving by the end the year "to take a little time off."
Speaking to reporters later on Tuesday aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had five people on his short list for U.N. envoy, including former Goldman Sachs executive and White House adviser Dina Powell.
He further dismissed speculation he would tap his daughter Ivanka, who serves as a senior adviser, for the post. He said she would be "incredible" in the role but acknowledged he would be accused of nepotism if he nominated her.
Trump said Haley would help him make the final pick for her replacement.
Haley, Trump said, "has done an incredible job. She is a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody that gets it. She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together."
Haley's name has come up as possible Republican running mate in the last two presidential elections and she could also become a U.S. senator if fellow South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham takes up a job in the Trump administration, as is often speculated.
The feel-good nature of her resignation was markedly different from other high-profile departures from Trump's cabinet. Trump unceremoniously announced his firing of former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in March in a tweet.
'A clear voice on foreign policy'
Haley's surprising resignation garnered responses from fellow American lawmakers, diplomats and statesmen, all singing her praises.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Haley for her support of Israel and said she had fought hypocrisy at the organization.
"I would like to thank Ambassador Nikki Haley, who led the uncompromising struggle against hypocrisy at the U.N., and on behalf of the truth and justice of our country," Netanyahu tweeted.
President Reuven Rivlin said that Haley's time in office "will be remembered as a turning point in the U.S.'s approach to international organizations and the bias they often show against Israel."
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon said that "wherever Haley decides to go, she will always be a true friend to the State of Israel."
Haley was seen by her counterparts at the United Nations as a voice of clarity in a U.S. administration that often gave off mixed signals on foreign policy, diplomats said.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a statement of "deep appreciation" for Haley.
Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman, said the U.N. had yet to receive formal notification of her resignation as Washington's permanent representative to the world body.
"The secretary general wishes to express his deep appreciation for the excellent cooperation and support that Ambassador Haley has always demonstrated. They had a very productive and strong working relationship during her tenure as United States permanent representative," he said.
British Ambassador to the U.N. Karen Pierce said she was "very disappointed" by Haley's resignation, which she said learned through media reports.
"Nikki Haley is one of the most talented, most authentic U.S. government officials that I have ever met," French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre praised.
Despite some disagreements, he said, "We established a working relationship that was particularly close and trusting."
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted, "Nikki Haley served our nation with distinction, faithfully advancing President Trump's America First agenda and she will be missed. We will always be grateful for Ambassador Haley's courage, intellect, character, and unfailing grace."
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) issued a statement saying, "Ambassador Nikki Haley has done an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the United Nations and showed a level of effectiveness rarely seen by someone in this position. She is a clear, concise voice for American leadership, American values, and has been a true agent of reform when it came to the United Nations."
House Speaker Paul Ryan said, "Nikki Haley has been a clear, consistent, and powerful voice for America's interests and democratic principles on the world stage. She challenged friend and foe to be better. I am saddened that she is leaving the administration, but so grateful for her service. Thank you, Nikki."
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) tweeted, "Nikki Haley was a strong voice for the U.S. and for moral clarity at the U.N. America was blessed to have her representing us. We thank her and her family for their service to our country and the cause of freedom and human rights."
Ashish Pradhan, an expert with the International Crisis Group, told French news agency AFP that Haley's departure raised the prospect of a more hard-line replacement.
"The fear now is whether the person who replaces her will take an even tougher line against the U.N., especially with National Security Adviser John Bolton now in the White House," he said.
But not everyone, it seems, was sorry to hear about Haley's resignation.
Human rights group Amnesty International issued a statement saying, "We hope that Nikki Haley's shock resignation will bring an end to the current low point in relations between NGOs and the U.S. mission to the U.N. and that her successor will work to repair the relationships.
"Under her tenure, human rights organizations like Amnesty and Human Rights Watch were singled out by her simply for having a different opinion, including on the importance of the Human Rights Council."
