WHITE House communications director Michael Dubke has resigned.
White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway told the Associated Press that Mr Dubke handed in his resignation before US president Donald Trump left for his international trip earlier this month.
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Ms Conway said Mr Dubke "made very clear that he would see through the president's international trip, and come to work every day and work hard even through that trip because there was much to do here back at the White House".
Mr Dubke later confirmed he is leaving the White House and said his last day on the job has not been determined.
"It has been my great honour to serve President Trump and this administration. It has also been my distinct pleasure to work side by side, day by day with the staff of the communications and press departments," he said.
A Republican consultant, Mr Dubke joined the White House team in February after campaign aide Jason Miller – Mr Trump's original choice for communications director – withdrew from consideration.
Mr Dubke founded Crossroads Media, a Republican firm that specialises in political advertising.
Meanwhile, president Trump has renewed his criticism of Germany following Chancellor Angela Merkel's suggestion her country needs to adopt a more independent stance in world affairs.
Mr Trump posted a tweet on Tuesday saying: "We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change."
Mr Trump rattled some in Europe with his statements on Nato last week.
Mrs Merkel said Germany's relations with the United States are of "outstanding importance" but it must engage with other key nations going forward.
She also suggested in the wake of the Trump visit that Europe's relationship with Washington had shifted significantly and reiterated her position that "we in Europe have to take our fate into our own hands."
