WASHINGTON — A leader of Donald Trump’s transition says the president-elect is no longer interested in his catch phrase “drain the swamp” of Washington.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said his understanding is that Trump “now just disclaims that. He now says it was cute, but he doesn’t want to use it anymore.” Gingrich made the remark in an interview that aired Wednesday on National Public Radio.

Trump has said he never loved the phrase. But it has continued to be a popular feature on his post-election tour. And his aides say he remains committed to his underlying swamp-draining policies, such as banning outgoing Trump transition and administration members from lobbying for five years.

Transition spokesman Jason Miller said Trump’s “ethics reform policies are full speed ahead.” Miller added of the new president and his team: “We’re going to change the way business is done in Washington and start putting the American people first.”