US President Donald Trump has announced his Chief of Staff John Kelly will soon be leaving the administration.
It is the latest key personnel move at a time of mounting pressure from the Russia election-meddling probe that comes amid increased focus on preparing for the 2020 elections.
Mr Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, was long rumored to be on the way out, amid reports that his relationship with Mr Trump had deteriorated to such an extent they were no longer on speaking terms.
Some Democrats suggested that Mr Trump timed the announcement to distract from troubling legal filings on Friday from the special counsel investigating Russian meddling.
Prosecutors said Mr Trump had directed his lawyer Michael Cohen to make illegal payments to two women to silence allegations of sexual affairs.
The announcement was reportedly originally scheduled for Monday before the president made the impromptu announcement, speaking to reporters on the White House lawn.
"John Kelly will be leaving at the end of the year," Mr Trump said before heading to Philadelphia for the annual Army-Navy football game. "I appreciate his service very much."
He said a replacement - possibly an interim appointment - would be named "over the next day or two."
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High-profile departures under Donald Trump
Nick Ayers, the 36-year-old Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence, is widely touted to be favorite to succeed Mr Kelly.
Mr Kelly, 68, is credited with bringing some discipline to the Oval Office.
The impending departure leaves Mr Trump reliant on a reduced group of key advisers even as he prepares to deal in the New Year with a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
The opposition party will have the power to launch investigations, issue subpoenas, and generally make his life more difficult.
