The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday officially announced the resignation of its president and CEO Jim DeMint.
In a statement on its website, the conservative think tank's board of trustees chairman Thomas A. Saunders III said DeMint was asked to resign based on "significant and worsening management issues that led to a breakdown of internal communications and cooperation."
Despite many successes at the organization, DeMint and his closest advisers had not been able to resolve the problems, Saunders said.
DeMint, who has headed Heritage since 2013, will be replaced by Heritage founder Ed Feulner while a permanent replacement is sought.
Rumors of DeMint's demise at the think tank have swirled since Friday when The New York Times and other media outlets reported the story.
"I regret not being able to let you know sooner about this change," Saunders wrote. "While we were trying to resolve this matter amicably, we honored our side of the bargain to remain silent."
Saunders said didn't want to make a statement until he was sure the board's decision was final.
"Unfortunately, the media ran with speculation about this story before the facts could be disclosed," he said.
DeMint served as a U.S. senator from South Carolina before resigning to head Heritage four years ago.
According to Saunders, the board, by unanimous vote, requested and received DeMint's resignation.
"This was a difficult and necessary decision for the Board to take," he said. "As trustees, we have governance and oversight responsibilities for this organization and our 500,000 members. We were compelled to take action.
"Heritage has never been about one individual, but rather the power of conservative ideas. Heritage is bigger than any one person," Saunders wrote. "As Chairman of the Board, I wholeheartedly endorse this change. It will make Heritage stronger in the short term and the long run."
Heritage is a "permanent policy research institution fighting for conservative ideas," he continued. "We remain committed, as ever, to the principles that have made America great: free enterprise; limited government; individual freedom; traditional American values; and a strong national defense. This will continue under the leadership of Ed and his successor."
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