Foreign Policy

US Ambassador Steps Down, Says He Can't Work 'Faithfully' For Trump

John Feeley reportedly started to step aside as the U.S. ambassador to Panama late last year — before President Trump's recent "shithole" comments.

US Ambassador Steps Down, Says He Can't Work 'Faithfully' For Trump
U.S. Embassy in Panama
SMS

The U.S. ambassador to Panama is stepping down, saying he can't faithfully serve the Trump administration apolitically.

Ambassador John Feeley was nominated to the post in 2015 by President Barack Obama. He is a former Marine Corps helicopter pilot with over 25 years of experience at the State Department.

It's not clear what, if anything, prompted Feeley's decision, but he apparently told the State Department about it in December last year. In other words, news outlets say Feeley isn't leaving because of the foul language President Donald Trump reportedly used about other countries.

A Senator Who Was There Insists Trump Said 'Shithole Countries'
A Senator Who Was There Insists Trump Said 'Shithole Countries'

A Senator Who Was There Insists Trump Said 'Shithole Countries'

President Trump said he didn't use that specific language. Sen. Dick Durbin insists Trump said it repeatedly.

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Panama hasn't played a major role in Trump's foreign policy agenda yet, but he did compliment the Panama Canal when he met the country's president last year. Vice President Mike Pence visited the country back in August.