Mr Emanuel has a reputation for brashness and abrasiveness US President Barack Obama is set to confirm that Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will resign to run for the post of Chicago mayor.
Mr Obama has called a press conference for Friday afternoon in the White House to make a “personnel announcement”.
US sources said the likely interim replacement would be Pete Rouse, who served as Mr Obama’s chief of staff in the US Senate.
Mr Emanuel has made no secret of his desire to run for mayor one day.
“[The post of mayor has] always been an aspiration of mine even when I was in the House of Representatives”
Rahm EmanuelProfile: Rahm EmanuelWho has left the White House so far?Profile: Pete Rouse
The position of chief of staff is considered one of the most influential in the White House, and presidential aides have admitted Mr Emanuel’s departure will be a loss to the administration.
Mr Emanuel – who has a reputation for brashness and abrasiveness – is a native of Chicago and represented Illinois’s 5th district in Congress for six years.
Pundits have tipped Mr Emanuel to replace mayor Richard M. Daley since the latter announced on 7 September that he would be stepping down.
Mr Daley has been mayor of Chicago since 1989.
Mr Emanuel has shown himself to be a strong force in the White House.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs would not confirm Mr Emanuel’s departure but said of him: “The title ‘chief of staff’ in many ways says it all. He has been the energetic, inspirational leader of us, taking the president’s promises and agenda and enacting them into law.”
Peter Rouse, 64, is a very different figure, shunning the spotlight. But analysts say he has built up strong relationships around Washington over a long period and is a good troubleshooter.
When asked about Mr Rouse, Mr Gibbs said: “Pete has been with senator-elect, senator, president-elect and now President Obama. There is a complete loyalty and trust with somebody like Pete.”
However, Mr Rouse will face competition for the post when it becomes available on a permanent basis.
Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, the vice-president’s aide Ron Klain, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and ex-Clinton chief of staff John Podesta, may all be considered.
Any decision on a permanent replacement may not be taken until after November’s mid-term elections, when it is likely Mr Obama and his staff will face a very different political landscape in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.