To go without saying, but I'm going to go ahead and say it anyways, this is not easy for me.

I love this place.

I love our mission and I love our people.

But my focus is and always has been on us and on doing what's right for the FBI.

That's FBI Director Christopher Ray yesterday announcing that he plans to resign next month as President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

We'll have more of Ray's remarks and reaction from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Also ahead, we'll go through new reporting on Trump's pressure campaign to build support for his most controversial cabinet picks.

And New York City Police say they have more evidence now linking Luigi Mangione to the murder

of United Health Care's CEO.

We're bringing the latest in that ongoing investigation.

Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Thursday, December 12th.

I'm Jonathan Lemire. Thanks for starting your day with us.

We have a lot to get to this morning. And we'll begin with the surprise announcement from FBI

director Chris Ray, revealing that he will resign from his post before President-elect Donald

Trump takes office on January 20th.

Ray made the announcement at an FBI employee town hall yesterday.

After weeks of careful thought, 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.

And 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 in how we do our work.

The decision comes as Trump has vowed to replace Ray after

his inauguration, and he has selected loyalist Cash Patel to take Ray's job. Trump has signaled

that he would likely fire Ray upon taking office if the director did not leave first. Trump has

...