US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 to investigate links between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's campaign, has submitted his resignation to the president.
In a letter to Trump, Rosenstein echoed two of Trump's signature phrases on Monday, writing that he helped staff the department with officials "devoted to the values that make America great" and adding that "we always put America first".
According to the letter, he will leave his post on May 11.
Attorney General William Barr confirmed in a statement that the letter had been submitted.
"Rod Rosenstein has served the Department of Justice with dedication and distinction for nearly thirty years as a prosecutor, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, US Attorney, and as Deputy Attorney General," said Barr.
His departure ends a nearly two-year run defined by his appointment of Mueller. The departure had been expected since the confirmation of Barr as Attorney General.
"Our nation is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts," his resignation letter, shared by US media, said.