The Trump administration official in charge of diplomatic protocol plans to resign and isn't going to Japan for this week's Group of 20 meetings, where he would have played a sensitive behind-the-scenes role, according to people familiar with the matter.
Sean Lawler, a State Department official whose title is chief of protocol, is departing amid a possible inspector general's probe into allegations of verbal altercations with staff members, according to one of the people.
The protocol chief assists the president on overseas trips, and when foreign leaders visit the White House, by making introductions and briefing the president on protocol. Lawler, a fixture in the Oval office during dignitaries' visits, served as the president's liaison to the diplomatic corps at the State Department.