US ambassador to Panama resigns, saying he can no longer work under Trump: report

The U.S. ambassador to Panama has resigned from his post, saying he can no longer serve under President Trump, according to multiple reports.

“As a junior foreign service officer, I signed an oath to serve faithfully the president and his administration in an apolitical fashion, even when I might not agree with certain policies. My instructors made clear that if I believed I could not do that, I would be honor bound to resign. That time has come,” Feeley said in his resignation letter, according to Reuters.

In a statement, the State Department said Feeley decided to retire for “personal reasons.”

{mosads}A local Panama newspaper reported Feely’s resignation early Thursday before The Washington Post reported that Trump referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as “shithole countries” in a meeting with lawmakers.

According to State Department officials, Feely will serve until March 9. Deputy Chief of Mission Roxanne Cabral will assume his role until a new ambassador is appointed.

Feely is a former Marine Corps helicopter pilot and a career diplomat.   

Updated at 11:52 a.m.