President Donald Trump confirmed during a press conference on Thursday that former Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be stepping down from his role as U.S. Secretary of Energy at the end of the year.
During a press conference on a new Louis Vuitton factory’s opening in Texas, Trump confirmed the news of Perry’s departure while recognizing members of the Cabinet. Trump thanked Perry for his service and said his nominee to be Perry’s replacement will be announced soon, adding that he believes the new candidate will do a “fantastic job.”
Perry was one of the first nominees to Trump’s cabinet and has remained with the President since being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the role in 2017. Perry previously served as governor of Texas and sought the Republican nomination for the White House unsuccessfully in 2012 and 2016.
Early reports had suggested that Perry planned to leave the Trump Administration by the end of the year, but Trump’s comments Thursday were the first officially confirming the news. The announcement also comes as House Democrats have placed scrutiny on Perry regarding the Trump Administration’s dealings with Ukraine.