A longtime FBI deputy director who had been expected to replace Director Christopher Wray on an acting basis is retiring from the bureau.

Latest reports revealed a shocking development that the significant FBI Chief Paul Abbate suddenly retired and all the attention is now on Kash Patel who is US President Donald Trump’s FBI director pick.

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

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.

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.

The FBI’s acting director told senior leadership he was retiring Monday, as the bureau braces for a major shakeup under the Trump administration. Paul Abbate had earlier been expected to serve in the role for a few months after Christopher Wray’s departure.

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.