Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke resigns

Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, one of the most well-known sheriffs in the United States, resigned from his position Thursday, according to County Clerk George Christenson.

Clarke, who has been a vocal critic of the Black Lives Matter movement and a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, did not give any reason for his resignation in a letter sent to Christenson and obtained by CNN.

But in a separate statement, Clarke said he chose to retire "to pursue other opportunities."

"I will have news about my next steps in the very near future," Clarke said.

Clarke's resignation comes after he had been rumored to be in consideration for a position at the Department of Homeland Security, but it's not clear if he was ever offered a position.

His decision to leave his sheriff role also comes after he faced criticism when a jail inmate who was nine months pregnant says she was ignored and forced to give birth on the floor of her cell, leading to the newborn's death.

The woman has since filed an $8.5 million lawsuit against the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.