Deputy National Security Adviser Leaving Trump White House

(CN) - Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell is leaving the White House, the administration confirmed Friday.

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "Dina Powell has been a key, trusted adviser in this administration. She has always planned to serve one year before returning home to New York, where she will continue to support the president's agenda and work on Middle East policy. She will serve in the administration until early next year."

Powell, who took on the role in March, is the ninth official to leave the Trump administration in its first year, and she is among several aides expected to depart by late January.

She is considered one of the most influential voices in the White House on Middle Eastern policy, and is reportedly talking with Trump about continuing to advise him from outside the White House.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster described Powell as "an invaluable member of President Trump's team."

"She organized and drove an effort to restore our nation's strategic competence," McMaster said. "Her sage advice helped provide options to the President and her strong relationships across the U.S. government and internationally helped drive execution of the President's decisions."

"All of us look forward to continuing to work with her, as she continues to support this Administration's efforts on Middle East peace and other issues," he said.

Also issuing a statement on Powell's departure was Jared Kushner, who described Powell as "a valued member of the Israeli-Palestinian peace team.

"She will continue to play a key role in our peace efforts and we will share more details on that in the future," Kushner said.

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