Skip to main content
Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

South Carolina Gov. Haley resigns to become U.S. ambassador to U.N.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, at left, congratulates current Governor Henry McMaster, in middle, after he was sworn in by S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty during a ceremonial swearing in at the Statehouse Tuesday Jan. 24, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Haley resigned as governor after she became ambassador to the United Nations. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, at left, congratulates current Governor Henry McMaster, in middle, after he was sworn in by S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty during a ceremonial swearing in at the Statehouse Tuesday Jan. 24, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Haley resigned as governor after she became ambassador to the United Nations. (AP Photo/Mic Smith) Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, at left, congratulates current Governor Henry McMaster, in middle, after he was sworn in by S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty during a ceremonial swearing in at the Statehouse Tuesday Jan. 24, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Haley resigned as governor after she became ambassador to the United Nations. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

By Associated Press 13 min read

More about Trump’s team

Read more about President Trump’s inauguration

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gov. Nikki Haley resigned Tuesday as South Carolina’s CEO to become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, giving the state’s helm to an early backer of President Donald Trump.

Haley turned in her resignation letter minutes after the U.S. Senate confirmed her as Trump’s Cabinet pick.

Under the state constitution, Haley’s resignation letter immediately made Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster the 91st governor since South Carolina became a state.

Before McMaster was officially sworn in, Haley addressed a crowd in the Capitol lobby.

“There’s lots of work to do, but we have the right person to do it,” she said about McMaster. “It’s an absolute privilege and honor to turn over the reins to you.”