Roberta Jacobson, highly regarded in Mexico and in U.S. diplomatic circles, is one of several high-profile State Department officials to announce their decision to leave in recent months. | Win McNamee/Getty Images U.S. ambassador to Mexico stepping down The Mexican news organization Reforma has reported that the White House may nominate Ed Whitacre, the former CEO of General Motors and AT&T, to replace Roberta Jacobson.

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Roberta Jacobson, said on Thursday that she was resigning from the post, a decision that comes as President Donald Trump moves to replace her. The Mexican government, meanwhile, announced that it had given its consent to Trump’s yet-to-be unveiled choice to fill her position.

Jacobson, who leaves May 5, will be the latest in a string of high-profile diplomats to quit the State Department under Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Her departure could further complicate the U.S.-Mexico relationship amid tensions over immigration, trade and other sensitive subjects.


Mexico is considered a particularly important ambassadorship because the country is one of United States’ largest trading partners. Because of Trump’s nasty relationship with the Mexican leadership, confirmation hearings for an incoming ambassador could be highly contentious.

As an example of how acrimonious ties have become: Just recently, President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico scrapped a planned visit to the United States, reportedly after a tense phone call with Trump in which the U.S. leader refused to publicly affirm Mexico’s position that it would not pay for a border wall.

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In a memo sent to her staff and obtained by POLITICO, Jacobson wrote that her decision was “difficult” and acknowledged that it came at a “crucial moment.” But she didn’t say why exactly she’d decided to quit despite those things, nor did she address the plans to replace her. On Twitter, however, she noted, “At this time, I have no information about who will be my successor.”

The Trump administration was already considering replacing Jacobson, an appointee of former President Barack Obama who emerged from the career civil service ranks. The Mexican news organization Reforma has reported that Ed Whitacre, the former CEO of General Motors and AT&T, is the expected nominee, but the administration has not made an official announcement about its choice.

In a statement on Thursday, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said Tillerson had told Mexican officials on Feb. 17 that Jacobson was resigning and later submitted a name to the Mexican government for its approval — a diplomatic convention known as “agrément.” The ministry said it gave agrément on Feb. 26, but it declined to name the would-be nominee, saying that it was the responsibility of the U.S. government.

“The Foreign Ministry appreciates Ambassador Jacobson’s committed and responsible diplomacy as ambassador, not only in Mexico but also for the benefit of the entire region,” the Mexican body said.

In her memo, Jacobson praised the work of the people at the U.S. mission in Mexico, but said that after 31 years of government service “it is the right time to move on to new challenges and adventures.”

“This decision is all the more difficult because of my profound belief in the importance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship and knowledge that it is at a crucial moment,” she wrote. “One of the things that makes it easier is knowing that all of you will continue to do your usual outstanding work in ensuring that the relationship grows and prospers.”

She also noted the importance of maintaining a good relationship between the two neighboring countries, a possible allusion to the unhealthy status quo.

“You have respected everyone you came in contact with — Mexican, American, or from anywhere else, reflecting the better angels of our nature,” Jacobson wrote to the staff. “You know how great our two countries are. And that we are stronger together.”

Jacobson is highly regarded in Mexico and in U.S. diplomatic circles. Her status as a career Civil Service officer made her road to an ambassadorship rather unusual. The president has wide latitude over whom he picks as his ambassadors. But such posts, when not given to outside political hires as a perk of supporting a presidential campaign, typically go to career Foreign Service officers.

Under Trump, the State Department has at times been marginalized in discussions involving Mexico, with Mexican leaders preferring to deal with the White House directly. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and adviser, has been especially involved in the U.S.-Mexico portfolio.

Jacobson’s own wait for confirmation as ambassador was held up for months by lawmakers unhappy with the Obama administration’s decision to resume diplomatic ties with Cuba. She was confirmed in April 2016. As a former assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, Jacobson played a major role in the Cuba-U.S. rapprochement.

“The State Department greatly appreciates Ambassador Jacobson’s 31 years of government service, including as U.S. ambassador to Mexico and as assistant secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs,” department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on Thursday.

“We wish her the very best.”

Trump has demanded that a wall be built along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep out illegal immigrants and that Mexico pay for it. His administration is also engaged in talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, a pact that Trump repeatedly slammed on the campaign trail — during which he also described undocumented Mexican migrants as potential criminals and rapists.

Jacobson, whose decision to leave was first reported by The New York Times, is one of several high-profile State Department officials to announce their decision to leave in recent months. Earlier this week, Joseph Yun, the special envoy for North Korean issues, announced his imminent retirement. Thomas Shannon, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, has also said he will step down once his replacement is ready.

Jacobson’s departure will increase concerns among U.S. lawmakers and others that the State Department is being gutted under Tillerson, who has failed to fill numerous leadership positions in his 13 months at the helm and also sought to trim staff.

Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, lamented Jacobson’s departure, adding in a statement: “This White House’s continued assault on America’s diplomatic corps is causing damage to our national security that will take many years to repair.”

Mel Leonor contributed to this report.

