The federal government’s top ethics watchdog, Walter M. Shaub Jr., has announced his resignation today.

The Director of the Office of Government Ethics submitted a short letter to President Donald Trump emphasizing that “public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and ethical principles above private gain,” but did not offer details about his decision to leave. His five-year term was not set to expire until January 2018.

Shaub had previously tried to get Trump to liquidate his business and personal holdings and chastised a senior presidential adviser, Kellyanne Conway, for violating ethics rules by hawking the president’s daughter’s clothing company on Fox News.

While unsuccessful in changing Trump’s policy, he did gain a reputation as someone willing to stand up for what’s right. The Washington Post reports that Shaub says he wasn’t forced out.

“It’s clear that there isn’t more I could accomplish,” he said.

Knowing he had little chance of renewing his post as watchdog head, he decided to accept a job offer from a nonpartisan advocacy group called the Campaign Legal Center.

In the interview with The Post, Shaub said he hopes to find bipartisan solutions to strengthening government ethics programs. He said his experience working with the current administration has made it clear to him that ethics programs need bolstering. His last day will be July 19.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

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