A top aide to Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta Alex Alexander AcostaFederal litigator files complaint alleging Labor secretary abused his authority Appeals court to review legality of Epstein plea deal Appeals court finds prosecutors' secret plea agreement with Epstein didn't break law MORE will leave his post amid ongoing tension with White House officials frustrated at the pace of deregulation.

A Department of Labor spokesperson told The Hill that chief of staff Nick Geale would leave the department.

"I want to thank the dedicated and professional staff of the Department of Labor for helping to do so much good work for our nation," Geale said in a statement.

Axios first reported the news earlier Tuesday.

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Geale has been viewed by White House officials as standing in the way of the Trump administration’s agenda.

"The pace of change has not been sufficient. [Acosta] tends to be fairly fearful of taking hardline positions. He tends to be solicitous of the unions, often making the argument that that's what the president wants,” said a source close to President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE. "The only question in my mind is, is it Nick Geale that's the problem? Or is he just doing his boss's bidding? It's not clear to me that Nick is the only problem. You take your cues from the top."

Geale has reportedly told Acosta he will leave the department shortly.

A Labor Department spokesperson defended the department’s record on deregulation to Axios.

"The U.S. Department of Labor had $3.28 billion in deregulatory savings in FY 2018 — the second most in the administration," the spokesperson said. "Even more actions like the current rules-making on overtime, joint employer and regular rate are in process. Nick Geale plays an important role in these efforts."

Acosta himself has recently been under fire amid questions from his time as a federal prosecutor about his role in securing a deal for financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Updated 5 p.m.