Secret Service director denies he was fired

Outgoing U.S. Secret Service Director Randolph “Tex” Alles denied Monday that he was fired from his post, saying in a letter to Secret Service staff that he learned “weeks ago” that there would be “transitions in leadership” across the Department of Homeland Security.

“My departure from the U.S. Secret Service has been announced and is effective in May. No doubt you have seen media reports regarding my ‘firing.’ I assure you that this is not the case, and in fact was told weeks ago by the Administration that transitions in leadership should be expected across the Department of Homeland Security,” he wrote in the letter, which was obtained by CNN.

“The President has directed an orderly transition in leadership for this agency and I intend to abide by that direction. It is my sincere regret that I was not able to address the workforce prior to this announcement,” Alles added.

{mosads}Some news organizations reported Monday that Alles had been fired. 

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement Monday that Alles “will be leaving shortly.”

Alles reports to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who resigned from her post on Sunday and will leave the agency Wednesday. 

Alles added in his letter to Secret Service staff that it was his “great honor to serve as Director of the U.S. Secret Service.”

“I want to personally thank you all for a job well done. Your pride, strength and resilience is what has, and will continue to, allow this agency to accomplish great things,” he said.