The U.S. ambassador to Canada has confirmed he is stepping down from his position later this month after an order from president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team.
“As requested, I have resigned as US ambassador to Canada effective 1/20,” Bruce Heyman wrote on Twitter on Friday, adding that he and his wife will be moving from Ottawa “on or around that date.”
Reuters reported that a message from the State Department just before Christmas required ambassadors appointed by outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama to vacate their posts by Inauguration Day, according to Mark Gilbert, the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand.
As requested I have resigned as US Ambassador to Canada effective 1/20. @vshey & I will depart on or around that date. #cdnpoli #uscanada
— Bruce A. Heyman (@BruceAHeyman) January 6, 2017
According to The New York Times, the Trump edict ignores a tradition by both Democrat and Republican administrations of allowing extensions so diplomats have time to wrap up their personal lives, such the school year for children or visa arrangements.
The president-elect does not want any of his predecessor’s appointees around when he is sworn in on Jan. 20, said the newspaper, especially those like Heyman, who was a major donor and fundraiser for Obama.
Heyman has served as ambassador to Canada since 2014.
The abrupt mandate could leave the U.S. without representation in countries including Germany, Britain, and Canada for months as the Senate needs to confirm new ambassadors.
A senior official on Trump’s transition team told the Times the order was not malicious, and is part of sticking to a tight schedule of political and staff departures during the transfer of power between administrations.
Source: huffingtonpost.ca