FBI Director Chris Wray announced on Wednesday that he will resign from his position early next year.

His decision follows indications from President-elect Donald Trump that he intends to dismiss Wray and appoint Kash Patel, a controversial figure, as his replacement.

This resignation marks the second consecutive departure of an FBI director under Trump, who previously fired Wray’s predecessor, James Comey, amid tensions over the FBI’s investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 to a 10-year term, stated, “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.”

The relationship between Trump and Wray soured significantly after the FBI conducted a court-approved search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022 to retrieve classified documents, which led to two federal prosecutions against Trump.

While Trump has denied any wrongdoing and labeled these cases as politically motivated, his Republican allies have accused the FBI of politicization, despite a lack of evidence showing interference from the Biden administration.

On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump celebrated Wray’s resignation, calling it “a great day for America.”

He asserted that it would help end what he described as the “Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice.”

If confirmed, Patel, who has limited experience in federal law enforcement, has pledged to significantly overhaul the FBI, including plans to close its Washington headquarters and redefine its intelligence-gathering role.

Wray’s departure has raised concerns among Senate Democrats about the future of the FBI.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin emphasized the bureau’s critical role in national security, stating, “It will soon embark on a perilous new era with serious questions about its future.”

Throughout his tenure, Wray has maintained that he acted impartially and denied any partisan bias.

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He has overseen reforms in the FBI’s warrant processes and has been involved in high-profile investigations, including those related to the January 6 Capitol riots.

Wray’s career includes roles as a federal prosecutor and leading the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, where he was involved in post-9/11 terrorism efforts and the Enron Task Force.

His resignation will take effect before the conclusion of his term, which was set to expire in 2027.