The United States ambassador to Qatar announced that she is resigning Tuesday, days after President Donald Trump renewed his accusations that the Persian Gulf country funds terrorism.
Ambassador Dana Shell Smith said via Twitter that she is leaving her post after three years, writing that serving in the role has been the "greatest honor" of her life and that she will miss Qatar.
1/2 This month, I end my 3 years as U.S. Ambassador to #Qatar. It has been the greatest honor of my life and I'll miss this great country.
— Dana Shell Smith (@AmbDana) June 13, 2017
CNBC's John Harwood first reported Smith's resignation, suggesting the move was triggered by Trump's criticism of the small Middle Eastern country.
US Ambassador to Qatar has resigned days after Trump renewed attacking the country, which undercut State Dept attempt to calm tensions
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) June 13, 2017
Last week, Trump strongly criticized Qatar, accusing the country of funding terrorism. Other Middle Eastern countries—including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt—recently cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.
Center for New American Security senior fellow Ilan Goldenberg said Harwood's report was "out of context," however, writing that Smith was set to retire anyway.
This is out of context. She was set to retire already https://t.co/TIoXnxE0H6
— Ilan Goldenberg (@ilangoldenberg) June 13, 2017
A State Department official told the Washington Examiner that Smith, a career diplomat, "will depart Qatar later this month as part of the normal rotation of career diplomats throughout the world." The official added that Smith decided to leave "earlier this year."
Last month, Smith, who was appointed to her current post by former President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2014, sent a tweet that many viewed as critical of Trump and his administration.
"Increasingly difficult to wake up overseas to news from home, knowing I will spend today explaining our democracy and institutions," Smith wrote on May 9.