The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s deputy director, whom US President Donald Trump repeatedly accused of political bias, has resigned.
Andrew McCabe was pressured to quit by FBI Director Christopher Wray in advance of an inspector general report examining the agency, reports CBS News.
Mr McCabe was reportedly due to retire on 18 March.
His exit from the top law enforcement agency comes a week after a report that Mr Trump wanted him out.
An internal communication authored by Mr Wray shows Mr McCabe’s early departure was the result of a forthcoming FBI inspector general report that concluded the agency must perform at the highest standards, according to CBS News.
Earlier on Monday, the New York Times reported that Mr Wray had expressed an interest in moving Mr McCabe to another job, which would have been a demotion, ahead of the inspector general report.
It is unclear when the report will be released.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Monday’s daily press briefing: “This decision was not made by the White House.”
“The president wasn’t part of this decision making process,” she added.