Nikki Haley resigns as US ambassador to the UN

Indian American Nikki Haley resigned as the United States ambassador to the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday amid speculation that she might be a candidate in the 2020 presidential election. She was governor of South Carolina when President Donald Trump offered her the job of ambassador to the UN. Elected as the state’s first woman governor in 2010, she was a staunch opponent of Mr. Trump within the Republican Party during the 2016 presidential election.

As governor twice and ambassador to the UN, Ms. Haley has carved out a space for herself in the Republican politics in America. She spoke out against racism and on issues of gender. Her tenure at the UN has been marked by her strident campaign against Russia, Iran and Syria. She has also overseen the Trump administration’s hostile approach to the UN.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with Ms. Haley at the White House on Tuesday morning, Mr. Trump said she had done an “incredible job.” “You have been very special to me,” she told Ms. Haley who was sitting to his right. Mr. Trump said Ms. Haley came to him about six months ago to express a desire to leave at the end of the first two years. The President lauded her accomplishments on issues ranging from North Korea to China at the United Nations, saying, “she got to know the players.” “They like her, except for maybe a couple, but that’s normal,” said Mr. Trump. Ms. Haley said she was a “lucky girl” for having been able to serve as governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the U.N.

It remains unclear what prompted Ms. Haley to quit and who will succeed her at as ambassador to the UN. Mr. Trump said “many people” were interested in succeeding Ms. Haley and a replacement will be named in two or three weeks or maybe sooner.”

Ms. Haley said she had no plans to run for President in 2020. “I will say this. For all of you that are going to ask about 2020, no, I’m not running for 2020….I can promise you what I’ll be doing is campaigning for this one. So I look forward to supporting the president in the next election,” she said. “That’s so good. Thank you Nikki,” Mr. Trump said in response.