Zinke Reportedly Decries ‘Vicious and Politically Motivated Attacks’ in Leaked Resignation Letter

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has put out a statement on his leaving the Trump administration, and in it and in his reported resignation letter, he seems to place the blame squarely on investigations into him.

Zinke’s departure, announced on Twitter by President Donald Trump this morning, comes amid a number of ethics inquiries.

“I love working for the President and am incredibly proud of all the good work we’ve accomplished together,” Zinke says in his statement. “However, after 30 years of public service, I cannot justify spending thousands of dollars defending myself and my family against false allegations.”

I love working for the President and am incredibly proud of all the good work we’ve accomplished together. However, after 30 years of public service, I cannot justify spending thousands of dollars defending myself and my family against false allegations. Full statement attached. pic.twitter.com/gwo75SA6bM

— Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) December 15, 2018

The Associated Press obtained Zinke’s resignation letter, in which he decried “vicious and politically motivated attacks” and said they’d become an “unfortunate distraction”:

Zinke’s resignation letter, obtained from a Zinke aide on Saturday, cites what he calls “meritless and false claims” and says that “to some, truth no longer matters.” It was not clear whether Zinke had already submitted the letter when Trump tweeted.

[image via screengrab]

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