The White House on Monday named a veteran agent to serve as acting FBI director after the official who'd been expected to run the bureau on an interim basis following the departure of Christopher Wray retired after nearly 30 years.

Brian Driscoll, who has worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2007, has been named the acting director of the agency. The news came after Paul Abbate retired.

Paul Abbate, who became the FBI’s acting director following the departure of Christopher Wray, is retiring from the bureau, according to an email he sent to senior executives that was obtained by

Paul Abbate, who as the FBI's longtime deputy director had been expected to replace Director Christopher Wray on an acting basis, is retiring from the bureau, according to an email he sent to senior executives and obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.

Paul Abbate made the unexpected announcement in an email to senior officials Monday ahead of President Trump's inauguration.