However, unlike other recent departures from the Trump administration, she appears to be leaving on good terms, with Trump saying she has done a “fantastic job” and that she leaves the role in a much more “glamorous position”. He added Haley is very “special” to him and is welcome back in the White House anytime.
Haley’s resignation will leave just five women in the Trump administration, with the remaining 17 members all men.
Haley has become known in the position for firmly taking on Syria, Russia, Iran, North Korea and others. She was particularly tough on calling out the use of chemical weapons in Syria. She also defended Trump’s decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem.
Haley said the role has been the “honour of a lifetime” but that she’s a firm believer in term limits. “You have to be selfless to know when it’s time to step aside and allow someone else to do the job.”
She has ruled out running for President in 2020, but some analysts suggest 2024 could be an option.
Haley also praised Trump’s family members Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump while speaking to media overnight, saying Kushner is a “hidden genius”.
Haley recently told TIME that as a child she wanted to be mayor of the South Carolina town where she grew up because that “was as far as I can see”. She went on to become South Carolina Governor.