Preet Bharara said goodbye to his office Monday, leaving in a grand ceremony and with many questions still standing about his abrupt dismissal. The dramatic farewell comes after the White House finally answered questions about why President Trump ousted the U.S. attorney. NY1's Josh Robin filed the following report.

Preet Bharara got love from his former staff in Lower Manhattan on Monday, and gave it back to the city he served.

"I love New York, and this is the best prosecutor's office you've ever seen," Bharara said to a standing ovation outside his office.

Notice he didn't answer about Trump, the man he met Nov. 30, who told him he was safe in the post, according to Bharara.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says even if President Trump made a commitment to Bharara that he could stay, it's irrelevant now

"I don't think it really matters at the end of the day," Spicer said.

The press secretary justifies it, saying that asking for those resignations was common practice.

"This is a standard operating procedure for a new administration around this time to ask for the resignation of all U.S. attorneys," Spicer said.

Friday, the Department of Justice asked 46 U.S. attorneys to tender their resignations.

Bharara didn't comply. Saturday afternoon, he was shown the door.

The Trump Administration says the president called Bharara to thank him for his service the day before the resignation request.

Bharara never returned that call due to protocol, saying U.S. attorneys should not speak directly to the commander in chief.

Bharara leaves unfinished probes into both the administrations of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

And three days before his dismissal, top government watchdogs asked him to examine Trump's business ties.

"There's a lot of questions coming up as to whether Mr. Trump — President Trump — is concerned about the jurisdiction of this U.S. attorney," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, House Oversight Committee Ranking Member.

Or maybe it was political retribution?

Bharara previously served as chief counsel for New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is now the minority Democratic leader.

Another unknown: what Bharara does next. He is maybe at the top of his popularity, and it would give him an enviable head start if he wants to run for office.