The decision by Kyl, 76, was not unexpected. He had retired from the Senate in 2012 and said when he took the appointment in September that he only committed to serving until the end of the year. His resignation is effective Dec. 31.
Kyl — a Republican who retired from the Senate in 2012 to spend more time with his family — is currently shepherding Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Kyl's appointment will make it possible for him to vote for the nomination.
During a rally in Montana Thursday, President Trump accused Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member, Jon Tester, D-Mont., of leading a smear campaign against his pick to run the Department of Veterans Affairs.