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FBI Director Christopher Wray has said he intends to step down as head of the agency before President-Elect Donald Trump takes office, according to a report from the Washington Post. Wray has held the position since he was appointed by then-President Trump in 2017 to replace James Comey.
"I've decided the right thing for the bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down," Wray wrote in a note to staffers. "In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work."
"I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people," he added.
The New York Times reported that Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate will take over and run the bureau until the end of April, when he is set to retire.
Trump has said he plans to nominate Kash Patel to lead the FBI.