U.K. ambassador who criticized Trump in leaked memos as 'inept' resigns


Kim Darroch, the British ambassador to the United States who criticized President Trump's administration in leaked diplomatic cables and who Trump in response pledged to "no longer deal with," has announced his resignation.
"The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like," Darroch said on Wednesday, The Washington Post reports. He went on to say that the "responsible course" is to step aside.
The U.K. ambassador faced heavy criticism from Trump after he described the president as "inept" and "insecure" in leaked memos. In response, Trump on Twitter pledged that "we will no longer deal with" Darroch, who he went after in subsequent tweets as "wacky," a "very stupid guy," and a "pompous fool."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Britain stood by Darroch in the wake of Trump's criticism, and on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May thanked Darroch for his "lifetime of service" and said that "good government depends on public servants being able to give full and frank advice," The Guardian reports. She added, "I want all our public servants to have the confidence to be able to do that."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life