Wayne LaPierre resigned as CEO and executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), a position he has held since 1991. He issued a press release, exclusively to Fox News Digital, saying:

“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA. I’ve been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever.”

LaPierre earned the ire of NRA members after it was revealed he spent association funds lavishly on his lifestyle. The spending included private jets for himself and family members, for instance. Mr. LaPierre’s heretofore refusal to step down has hobbled the organization’s political might in recent years. He is scheduled to stand trial on Monday, January 8th, in New York for fraud charges over the allegations of self-dealing.