FBI Director Christopher A. Wray announced his resignation on Wednesday during a nationwide all-staff town hall, ending his tenure just weeks before Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House.

Wray’s decision follows months of mounting pressure from Trump and his allies, who have been outspoken in their criticism of the bureau’s leadership and direction. Recently, Trump publicly announced plans to replace Wray with Kash Patel, a former federal prosecutor and national security official and loyal supporter of the president-elect.

By stepping down now, Wray, who has led the FBI since 2017, chose to leave on his own terms, avoiding what many saw as an inevitable dismissal.

Following Wray’s announcement, Trump said his resignation is a “great day for America,” telling Fox News Digital it “will end the weaponization” of the FBI, while touting his nominee Patel as the “most qualified” to lead the bureau.

“The resignation of Christopher Wray is a great day for America as it will end the weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice,” Trump told Fox News Digital. “I just don’t know what happened to him.”

Trump said his administration “will now restore the rule of law for all Americans.” He added: “Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America.

“They have used their vast powers to threaten and destroy many innocent Americans, some of which will never be able to recover from what has been done to them,” Trump continued.

Trump then shifted his focus to Patel.

“Kash Patel is the most qualified nominee to lead the FBI in the Agency’s History, and is committed to helping ensure that Law, Order, and Justice will be brought back to our Country again, and soon,” he said. “As everyone knows, I have great respect for the rank-and-file of the FBI, and they have great respect for me.

“They want to see these changes every bit as much as I do but, more importantly, the American People are demanding a strong, but fair, system of justice. We want our FBI back, and that will now happen,” he continued. “I look forward to Kash Patel’s confirmation, so that the process of Making the FBI Great Again can begin.”