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James Clapper resigns: Top security chief steps down after Donald Trump election James Clapper resigns: Top security chief steps down after Donald Trump election
(35 minutes later)
One of the US’s top security chiefs has resigned just days after Donald Trump was voted as president-elect.One of the US’s top security chiefs has resigned just days after Donald Trump was voted as president-elect.
James Clapper, director of national intelligence, reportedly handed in his resignation letter on Wednesday evening.James Clapper, director of national intelligence, reportedly handed in his resignation letter on Wednesday evening.
During a hearing before the House Intelligence Committee, Mr Clapper said he “felt pretty good” about the decision. During a hearing before the House Intelligence Committee, Mr Clapper said he "felt pretty good" about the decision.
The resignation, which comes as Mr Trump is carrying out his transitional meeetings, is one of the first from president Obama's administration. All members of Mr Obama's administration must submit their resignations before the new president is inaugurated. "I have 64 days left and I would have a hard time with my wife for anything past that."
The resignation, which comes as Mr Trump is carrying out his transitional meeetings, is one of the first from president Obama's administration.
All members of Mr Obama's administration must submit their resignations before the new president is inaugurated.
Mr Clapper said in interviews as long as a year ago that he was "counting down the days" until Mr Obama left office and he would resign.Mr Clapper said in interviews as long as a year ago that he was "counting down the days" until Mr Obama left office and he would resign.
He said that after 50 years of service - starting as a young intelligence officer reporting to his father in Vietnam - that he was ready to step down.He said that after 50 years of service - starting as a young intelligence officer reporting to his father in Vietnam - that he was ready to step down.
Mr Trump still has to appoint 4,000 people, including in his cabinet and a supreme court judge. He took over as director of national intelligence in 2010, overseeing 17 intelligence agencies and serving throughout Mr Obama's term in office, acting as his principal advisor on security matters.
More follows... His tenure was marked by the revelations from whistleblower Edward Snowden, whose leaks shocked the foundations of national intelligence in the US.
In February this year he said the US faced its highest terror threat level since 9/11, with Iran the "foremost sponsor of terror" around the world, an influx of foreign fighters to Syria and and Iraq, and a joint operation between Iran and North Korea to lead terrorist groups to attack other countries.
His resignation opens the door for Mr Trump to put together a security and national intelligence team for his incoming administration.
He still has to appoint 4,000 people, including all of his cabinet roles, such as attorney general and secretary of state, and a supreme court judge.