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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakhmi Singh.

When the Biden administration ends in January, FBI Director Christopher Ray says he'll leave.

He still has years left on his term, but as NPR's Ryan Lucas reports, Ray notified FBI

staffers about his decision today.

While President-elect Trump's

declared nominee to replace Ray, makes the rounds on Capitol Hill to try to secure Senate confirmation.

Ray announced its decision at an FBI town hall. He said after careful consideration, he decided

it was the right thing for the FBI for him to serve until the change in administration and then step

down. His goal, he says, is to keep the focus on the FBI's mission, and resigning is the best way to

avoid dragging the FBI, quote, deeper into the fray. Ray will step down a little over seven years into his

10-year term. He replaced former director James Comey, whom Trump fired in 2017.

The president-elect announced last month that once back in office, he intends to nominate

Cash Patel to be FBI director, making clear that Ray would not remain in the job.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

Anchor over the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, including the deaths of 13 service

members three years ago, spilled into the Congressional Chamber where Secretary of State Anthony

Blinken was testifying today.

I think we've done good and important things together.

Blinken, Lincoln, Secretary of genocide.

Blinken says he deeply regrets, quote, that we did not do more and could not do more to protect the 13 service members killed in a bombing outside Kabul airport.

Our thoughts are with all of the Gold Star families.

...