According to numerous reports, UN ambassador Nikki Haley submitted her resignation to President Donald Trump last week, which Trump has accepted. “Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30am” Trump tweeted out early this morning.
Haley is widely viewed as a rising star within the Republican Party, so it wasn’t immediately obvious that Trump’s announcement would be referring to a resignation, but it was. The news was officially broke by the publication “Axois” which noted that the “timing of her departure is still unclear.” According to them, “Haley discussed her resignation with Trump last week when she visited him at the White House, two sources said. Trump told reporters Tuesday that Haley raised the possibility of taking a break six months ago, and that she’s welcome back at any time.”
So why did she depart? That’s all up to speculation for now, with many supposing that 2020 presidential aspirations could be in her future. Of course, it makes no sense why she would resign from her ambassadorship in 2018 if that’s indeed the case.
Others have speculated that Haley could be the author behind the anonymous New York Times op-ed published last year by a “member of the resistance” within the Trump administration, but that wouldn’t explain why Trump says she’s welcome to come back. Fallout over the Kavanaugh confirmation was cited as another potential reason for her departure – which is another piece of speculation with zero evidence behind it. Haley reportedly expressed interest in “a break” six months ago, which predates all those possible explanations.
She is SO running https://t.co/VXj2OLAuKY
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 9, 2018
Interesting speculation I’ve heard about Nikki Haley: She wrote the Times op-ed and was fired. Purely speculation, but entertaining palace intrigue
— Evan Siegfried (@evansiegfried) October 9, 2018
Exactly.
I have no indication Nikki Haley resigned because of discontent over Kavanaugh’s confirmation, but the timing hints that — and White House aides are aware of that. https://t.co/LjI9zDYIdi— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) October 9, 2018
Haley doesn’t officially depart until the end of the year. She and Trump gave a joint-press conference about her resignation, where you can listen to why she’s departing, in her own words. As of writing, the conference is still ongoing.
Conservatives aren’t taking it too well…
Ok I’m still flipping out.
— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) October 9, 2018
I don't accept Nikki Haley's resignation
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) October 9, 2018
Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by Nikki Haley’s resignation
— Elise Yost (@EliseYost) October 9, 2018
.@nikkihaley is a role model to every girl in this country.
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) October 9, 2018
When people ask if I’m gonna be ok after the @nikkihaley announcement pic.twitter.com/lNxzChkkCc
— Katie ✮ Hogge (@laurakatharyn) October 9, 2018
Ambassador @nikkihaley served our Country with grace and dignity. She represented Americans on the national stage in a way few have done before.
God bless you, Ambassador, thank you for being a beacon of light in a world with, sadly, lots of darkness.
See you in NYC soon. pic.twitter.com/i2IkPAPPbP
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) October 9, 2018
Haley is one of the most popular politicians in America, with only 17% of voters disapproving of her. Even 55% of Democrats approved of Haley as UN ambassador – which is near identical levels of support that Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi have among Democrats.
Haley initially opposed President Trump on the campaign trail, opting to support Marco Rubio instead, but later began supporting Trump. The two had many notable ideological differences, with Haley being much more “hawkish” on war than Trump (who more adopts the “peace through strength” philosophy).
Haley is just the latest in the list of big name resignations that have occurred under the Trump administration including Rex Tillerson, KT McFarland, Sean Spicer, Reince Priebus, Steve Bannon, and who could’ve forgotten Anthony Scarramucci?
