David Patraeus Resigns: CIA Director Cites Extramarital Affair as Reason, Michael J. Morell, Deputy Director Takes Over

The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, David H. Patraeus submitted his resignation to President Barrack Obama on Friday citing an extramarital affair as an the cause for stepping down.

According to the New York Times, Patraeus said in his statement, "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. This afternoon, the president graciously accepted my resignation."

Patraeus was appointed Director of CIA in September of 2011. Prior to this, the 60-year-old served as a four star general in the U.S. Army. He led the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deputy Director of CIA, Michael J. Morell, will fill in the position.

President Obama released a statement upon Patraeus' resignation, "By any measure, through his lifetime of service, David Petraeus has made our country safer and stronger," the president said. Without directly addressing the affair, Mr. Obama added: "Going forward, my thoughts and prayers are with Dave and Holly Petraeus, who has done so much to help military families through her own work. I wish them the very best at this difficult time," as reported by The New York Times.

Holly Patraeus is the assistant director of the Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

While Secretary of State Hilary Clinton had voiced her intention of resigning from the position prior to Obama's re-election, Patraeus intended on remaining as the CIA Director. His resignation surprised both the administration and media alike.

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