Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown, under fire and recalled to Washington in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, resigned this evening, senior administration officials said.
Under fire for a slow response to Hurricane Katrina, Mr Brown was removed from the Gulf Coast operations on Friday and recalled to Washington. President George W. Bush has been under pressure from Democrats to fire him.
Accusations also arose last week that Mr Brown had exaggerated his background in disaster relief in his official biography and resume.
The officials would not give any details except to confirm that Mr Brown, who has been FEMA's director since 2003, had resigned.
The resignation came three days after Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff removed Mr Brown from federal relief efforts in the Gulf Coast and sent him back to Washington.
In announcing his decision, Mr Chertoff said he wanted Mr Brown to be in Washington to continue administering FEMA.
During a visit to Gulfport, Mississippi, Mr Bush was asked about Mr Brown's resignation.
He told reporters he had not talked to Mr Brown or to Mr Chertoff but said he would speak with the Homeland Security chief on the Air Force One flight back to Washington.