WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (WP) -- U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley is stepping down at the end of the year, President Trump announced Tuesday as Haley sat by his side in the Oval Office.

Trump praised the work of the former governor of South Carolina, who was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations shortly after Trump’s inauguration last year. “She’s done a fantastic job, and we’ve done a fantastic job together,” Trump said, adding that Haley has been “very special to me.”

Trump said Haley first told him about six months ago that she would like to “take a little time off” at the end of this year. Trump said he is hopeful that Haley will return to the administration at some point, perhaps in a different capacity.