The US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney, has said he is resigning from his role, joining a number of officials who are leaving the Trump administration following the storming of the Capitol Building by President Trump's supporters.
Speaking on CNBC News today, Mr Mulvaney said: "I can't stay here, not after yesterday. You can't look at that yesterday and think I want to be a part of that in any way, shape or form."
He said his resignation would not affect the transition to the Biden administration, as the role is a part-time one.
"I can't stay here." Mick Mulvaney, who previously served as President Donald Trump's chief of staff, says he is resigning from his current role as special envoy to Northern Ireland following the assault on the Capitol by pro-Trump protestors. https://t.co/sG5k51cQAm pic.twitter.com/lf91Z789oo
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 7, 2021
Mr Mulvaney said some people are choosing to stay because they are worried Mr Trump may replace them with someone who could make things worse, but that he could not stay, given what occurred in Washington yesterday.
Mr Mulvaney said he had discussed the situation with his family last night.
He said he also called Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to tell him that he was resigning. He added that he would not be surprised to see more of his friends doing the same.
Mr Trump announced Mr Mulvaney's appointment as special envoy last March. At the time, he was the acting White House chief of staff.
Mr Mulvaney, who has roots in Co Mayo, was sworn in as Northern Ireland envoy in May.
of time left, I recognise that, but it's a direct result of what happened yesterday in Washington DC and it's the only official act I can take to express my displeasure with what happened.
"It was unforgivable and inexcusable and I simply don't want to be part of an administration that contributed to it.
"You cannot have a president of the United States encouraging people to go up, and essentially in an armed riot, try to prevent the constitutional processes of our government from taking place, that's unforgivable.
"What happened yesterday was uniquely terrible within this administration."
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Mr Mulvaney said he believes the US President's political career is over following yesterday's incidents.
"He will go down in history now, not as the president who had a great economy, not as the president who had the lowest unemployment rate among Black Americans, he will go down in history essentially as the president who encouraged people to rise up against the government.
"That historical penalty will be there and there may also be criminal penalties after what happened."
There have been reports that officials are discussing the possibility of using the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution to remove Mr Trump from office two weeks before his term ends.
Mr Mulvaney said: "I expected Congress to stay in session this week to begin impeachment proceedings but they did not.
The 25th Amendment is a clumsy tool and I'm not even sure if we know how to do it constitutionally. It doesn't surprise me that those conversations are rumoured to be taking place."
Mr Mulvaney was only able to visit Ireland and the UK as envoy on one occasion due to coronavirus restrictions.
"Diplomacy is the practice of personal relationships and having to do it all via Skype and telephone was really what I think prevented it from being what I wanted it to be, as fruitful as I wanted it to be.
"I made some great relationships and I will continue to be active in Northern Ireland as a private citizen," he said.
Meanwhile, White House deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, a leading figure in the development of Mr Trump's China policy, resigned yesterday.
Two top aides to First Lady Melania Trump have also resigned. Stephanie Grisham resigned as chief of staff to the first lady.
"It has been an honour to serve the country in the White House. I am very proud to have been a part of Mrs Trump's mission to help children everywhere, and proud of the many accomplishments of this administration," Ms Grisham said in a statement.
Ms Grisham, who spent a year as White House press secretary before becoming chief of staff to the first lady, did not say whether her resignation was in reaction to the violence in Washington, but a source familiar with her decision said it was the last straw.
White House social secretary Rickie Niceta also resigned, as did a deputy White House press secretary, Sarah Matthews, two sources told Reuters.
There was also talk inside the White House that Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Liddell might resign, a source said.
Additional reporting Brian O'Donovan
