FBI director Christopher Wray informed colleagues Wednesday afternoon that he will step down from his top position at the bureau as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House next month.

Wray will resign at the end of the Biden administration before his ten-year term expires. Appointed by Trump during his first term, Wray has served seven years on the job.

“After weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down,” Wray told FBI employees in a message later released by the agency. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.”

Trump announced late last month he is nominating Kash Patel, a former federal prosecutor loyal to the former and future president, to lead the FBI.

Given his hardline views and fierce loyalty to Trump, Patel could face challenges when his nomination comes before the GOP-controlled Senate in the next session. While Republicans will hold 53 seats to Democrats’ 47, Patel can’t afford to lose many Republicans presuming all Democrats oppose him.