Trump-Haley announcement: President praises his 'friend' as UN Ambassador says 'US is strong again' after shock resignation

Donald Trump has accepted Nikki Haley’s resignation as the US ambassador to the United Nations, celebrating her nearly two-year tenure and inviting her back to the administration in a role of her choice after “some time off”.

It remained unclear as to why exactly the South Carolina Republican had decided to leave her post from the international body, as the politician cited her belief in “term-limits” before reaffirming her commitment to the president’s “America First” agenda. She told reporters she was not planning on running for president in 2020, and would instead campaign for Mr Trump during his re-election campaign.

The departure arrived amid a fresh scandal for the official who has largely remained unattached from the daily controversies stemming from the White House. Ethics watchdog groups like Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have called for an investigation into her use of private planes that were reportedly at the expense of businesspersons in her home state of South Carolina.

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