A spokesperson from the State Department confirmed that Rank has left his position, but stated that they could not confirm reports on Twitter that he resigned because he felt unable to officially inform China of the US decision to withdraw from the agreement. Anna Richey-Allen, a spokeswoman for the department's East Asia Bureau, stated that Rank has retired from the foreign service and made a personal decision to leave. The department appreciates his dedicated years of service. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has been chosen by President Trump as the next US ambassador to Beijing, is expected to assume the role later this month. According to a tweet from China expert John Pomfret, unnamed sources said that Rank resigned because he disagreed with Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement. Pomfret also tweeted that Rank called a meeting to inform embassy staff of his decision and explained that he could not deliver a diplomatic note to China about the US decision. A senior US official confirmed the tweets' account but added that after Rank announced his retirement in Beijing on Monday, the State Department instructed him to leave his post immediately. The official, who requested anonymity, also revealed that the top personnel officer at the State Department, one of the few remaining senior Obama administration political appointees, had resigned on June 1. Arnold Chacon had previously held positions as the director general of the foreign service and director of human resources. He submitted his resignation when President Trump took office on January 20, as is customary for presidential appointees who serve at the discretion of the president and secretary of state. The news of Chacon's resignation was first reported by the DiploPundit website. It is unclear if he will be offered a different position within the department. With the exception of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, his deputy John Sullivan, and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon, many of the State Department's top positions are currently either vacant or filled by acting officials. Chacon and Rank, a long-time foreign service officer who recently became deputy chief of mission in Beijing, were unavailable for comment. Jonathan Fritz, the embassy's economics councillor, will be filling in for Rank. Rank had a 27-year career with the department and previously served as political councillor at the US Embassy in Afghanistan. President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord was met with criticism from global leaders and industry heads.