Dennis Blair, the president's top intelligence adviser, announced his resignation after 16 months of power struggles, politics and personality clashes.
Blair was the third person to serve as director of national intelligence since the position was created five years ago. His resignation is effective May 28.
Although President Obama praised Blair for his "remarkable record of service," there has been tension between the two. Blair found himself at odds with the White House over the scope of his role, and there was indirect conflict with others in the intelligence community.
"From the beginning the White House did not have the same view of what the DNI should be," according to a source familiar with the situation.
