David Petraeus has resigned as director of the CIA after admitting he had an extramarital affair. According to his letter of resignation, Petraeus asked President Barack Obama on Thursday to allow him to resign. On Friday the president accepted. (Nov. 9)
David Petraeus has resigned as director of the CIA after admitting he had an extramarital affair.
President Barack Obama on Friday accepted Patraeus' resignation, praised him as as one of the most outstanding generals of his generation and expressed confidence that the intelligence agency would continue to thrive.
"I am completely confident that the CIA will continue to thrive and carry out its essential mission, and I have the utmost confidence in Acting Director Michael Morell," Obama said in a written statement.
Petraeus said in a message to the CIA workforce that he was resigning because of an extramarital affair.
"After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours," Petraeus said.
Obama said his thoughts and prayers were with Petraeus and his wife. "I wish them the very best at this difficult time," he said.
"Dave's decision to step down represents the loss of one of our nation's most respected public servants," National Intelligence James Clapper said in a statement without giving a reason for the resignation.
Petraeus is married to Holly Petraeus, whom he met when he was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The retired four-star general led the military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, then took the helm of the CIA in September 2011.
The CIA had no immediate comment.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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