Perry Tells Trump He'll Be Gone Soon

Energy Secretary Rick Perry has notified the president that he intends to leave his job soon. That's according to an administration official who confirmed the news on condition of anonymity, the AP reports. Perry was traveling with President Trump to Texas on Thursday when he shared the news aboard Air Force One. Perry is under scrutiny over the role he played in the president's dealings with Ukraine, which are the subject of a House impeachment inquiry. Perry had disputed reports that he was planning to leave the administration in an interview Wednesday with the Wall Street Journal. But he left the door open, saying he expected to be at the Energy Department at Thanksgiving, but giving a less definitive answer when asked whether he'd be there through the end of the year.

The resignation of Perry, a former governor of Texas, will take effect "very soon," a senior administration official told NBC. Republicans praised Perry on Thursday, per Fox News. "Rick is a good man and a good friend who has devoted his life to serving his country, especially the great state of Texas," said Sen. Ted Cruz. (Trump said his Ukraine call was Perry's idea.)