Nikki Haley steps down as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations

Nikki Haley abruptly resigned on Tuesday morning as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She'll leave her post in December.

President Trump announced the departure from the Oval Office where he said that she 'has been very special to me' and 'is a fantastic person.'

She's done a fantastic job, and we've done a fantastic job together,' he said, citing the progress toward a nuclear deal with North Korea. 'We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to [lose] you.'

He said that she would hopefully she would return in another capacity - telling her she could have her pick of jobs if she wants to come back. 

Haley has been considered a rising star within the Republican Party and a leading candidate for president in 2020, if Trump decides not to run for reelection. She put those rumors to rest on Tuesday, though, in the joint appearance, where she said she would be campaigning for the current Oval Office occupant in 2020.  

The resignation was first reported by the news website Axios.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders did not confirm it but said a tweet minutes after Axios reported the resignation: 'President Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley will meet in the Oval Office at 10:30am this morning. This event will be open to the pool.'

The president subsequently said in a tweet that he'd be making a 'Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30am.'

MailOnline