A Wall Street executive who the White House named as a leading candidate to become the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has withdrawn from consideration, media are reporting.
Goldman Sachs executive Dina Powell has withdrawn as a candidate to succeed UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, AP and Reuters reported late on October 11, citing anonymous officials.
The news outlets said Powell told President Donald Trump by phone that she was honored to be considered, but planned to stay at the prestigious Wall Street investment house.
Trump had been talking to Powell about the position since Haley this week unexpectedly announced plans to resign. Powell served the Trump White House earlier as a deputy national security adviser.
Trump said on October 10 that he was considering Powell among several candidates for the high-profile UN job. Haley announced her resignation on October 9.
But Reuters reported that there was some resistance in the White House to Powell's return, with a senior administration official saying before her withdrawal that she was no longer under consideration.
