Washington -- The acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration has become disillusioned with President Donald Trump and plans to resign.

The New York Times reported that the official, Chuck Rosenberg, has become convinced Trump has little respect for the law. He plans to resign at the end of the week.

Rosenberg previously served as chief of staff to former FBI director James Comey.

Trump fired Comey in May. Rosenberg was also disturbed in July when Trump told law enforcement officers not to be "too nice" with criminal suspects, according to the Times.

The comments were criticized as condoning police brutality.

Rosenberg rejected the comments and sent an email to all DEA employees telling them they should not mistreat suspects.

"We must earn and keep the public trust and continue to hold ourselves to the very highest standards," he wrote, according to the Times. "Ours is an honorable profession and, so, we will always act honorably."

The White House has said Trump's comments were blown out of proportion. A spokeswoman said the president was joking, according to NBC News.

Rosenberg was appointed as acting DEA administrator by President Barack Obama in 2015, NBC said.

Rosenberg sent an email to DEA staffers about his resignation, which will take effect Sunday, but he gave no reason for his decision, NBC said.

"The neighborhoods in which we live are better for your commitment to the rule of law, dedication to the cause of justice and perseverance in the face of adversity," Rosenberg wrote in the email, according to the Times. "You will continue to do great things. I will continue to root for you, now from the sidelines."

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