http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/12/politics/us-ambassador-panama-resigns-trump/index.html
US ambassador resigns, saying he can no longer work with Trump
By Elise Labott, Zachary Cohen and Jim Sciutto, CNN
Updated 2032 GMT (0432 HKT) January 12, 2018
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A State Department spokesperson told CNN that Ambassador John Feeley "has informed the White House, the Department of State and the Government of Panama of his decision to retire for personal reasons, as of March 9 of this year."
According to an excerpt of his resignation letter that was read to CNN, Feeley's decision was clearly prompted by differences with the Trump administration but was made well before Thursday's reporting about President Donald Trump's "shithole" comments.
"As a junior foreign service officer, I signed an oath to serve faithfully the President and his administration in an apolitical fashion, even when I might not agree with certain policies. My instructors made clear that if I believed I could not do that, I would be honor bound to resign. That time has come," Feeley wrote.
The letter goes on to say that he leaves the embassy "in good hands" and the US relationship with Panama is "strong."
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Steven Goldstein told CNN that Feeley had submitted his resignation letter to the White House in late December.
"Everyone has a line that they don't want to cross and we respect that," Goldstein said. "We are sorry to see him go."
Feeley was a career diplomat who was sworn in as ambassador in January 2016.
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The spokesperson said Deputy Chief of Mission Roxanne Cabral will step in until a new ambassador is confirmed.
Panama will join the dozens of countries that do not currently have Senate-confirmed US ambassadors in place, including key US allies like South Korea, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
While senior acting officials hold the reins in these important jobs, they are not permanent appointees and are limited in how long they can hold the roles.
Federal law allows these temporary officeholders to stay in the open jobs for, at most, 300 days. But 320 days have elapsed since the start of the Trump administration and acting officials in the State Department are starting to hit that limit, making presidential nominations more important than ever.
CNN's Laura Koran contributed to this report
US ambassador resigns, saying he can no longer work with Trump
By Elise Labott, Zachary Cohen and Jim Sciutto, CNN
Updated 2032 GMT (0432 HKT) January 12, 2018
Trump fires acting AG Sally Yates
Spicer's most eventful press briefings
Trump fires top State Department officials
Firing by Trump called unprecedented
Administration asks 46 US attorneys to resign
White House defends firing of 46 US attorneys
McCain on US Attorneys: 'consequences' to election
Anger over handling of US attorney firings
Scaramucci's brief White House tenure
Priebus: Trump has a right to change direction
Story highlights
- Feeley was a career diplomat who was sworn in as ambassador in January 2016
- Deputy Chief of Mission Roxanne Cabral will step in until a new ambassador is nominated
A State Department spokesperson told CNN that Ambassador John Feeley "has informed the White House, the Department of State and the Government of Panama of his decision to retire for personal reasons, as of March 9 of this year."
According to an excerpt of his resignation letter that was read to CNN, Feeley's decision was clearly prompted by differences with the Trump administration but was made well before Thursday's reporting about President Donald Trump's "shithole" comments.
"As a junior foreign service officer, I signed an oath to serve faithfully the President and his administration in an apolitical fashion, even when I might not agree with certain policies. My instructors made clear that if I believed I could not do that, I would be honor bound to resign. That time has come," Feeley wrote.
The letter goes on to say that he leaves the embassy "in good hands" and the US relationship with Panama is "strong."
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Steven Goldstein told CNN that Feeley had submitted his resignation letter to the White House in late December.
"Everyone has a line that they don't want to cross and we respect that," Goldstein said. "We are sorry to see him go."
Feeley was a career diplomat who was sworn in as ambassador in January 2016.
'Shame on Trump!' World reacts to Trump's 'shithole countries' remarks
The spokesperson said Deputy Chief of Mission Roxanne Cabral will step in until a new ambassador is confirmed.
Panama will join the dozens of countries that do not currently have Senate-confirmed US ambassadors in place, including key US allies like South Korea, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
While senior acting officials hold the reins in these important jobs, they are not permanent appointees and are limited in how long they can hold the roles.
Federal law allows these temporary officeholders to stay in the open jobs for, at most, 300 days. But 320 days have elapsed since the start of the Trump administration and acting officials in the State Department are starting to hit that limit, making presidential nominations more important than ever.
CNN's Laura Koran contributed to this report
