James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, Announces Resignation

— -- James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, announced at a congressional hearing this morning that he has submitted his resignation to the president.

Clapper will leave office the day before Donald Trump's inauguration. His resignation is customary given the political transition, and represents one of the many critical posts Trump and his transition team will be working to fill in the coming weeks.

"I submitted my letter of resignation last night which felt pretty good," Clapper told the House Intelligence Committee. "I got 64 days left and I think I'd have a hard time with my wife anything past that."

Prior to the election, President Obama asked all of his political appointees to submit a resignation letter effective upon the inauguration of the new president to ensure an orderly transition.

The DNI oversees the country's 17 intelligence agencies including the CIA and the FBI and manages a budget of more than $50 billion.