FBI Director Christopher A. Wray announced he would resign from his post at the end of the Biden administration, withdrawing from the 35,000-person law enforcement agency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office and likely fires him.

Mr. Wray knew his days were numbered at the FBI.

Mr. Trump has tapped Kash Patel, a former Defense Department and National Security Council aide, to be the next FBI director and shake up the agency that is rife with complaints of mismanagement and politically biased investigations.

Mr. Patel is meeting with Republican senators on Capitol Hill this week as his confirmation appears to be on a glide path.

Mr. Wray has suffered criticism from Mr. Trump and Republicans for the culture at the FBI.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley, the Iowa Republican who will become chairman of the Judiciary Committee next month, sent a scathing letter Monday to Mr. Wray saying he should be ousted before his 10-year term as FBI director is up — and he said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate should go, too.

“For the good of the country, it’s time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives,” Mr. Grassley wrote. “I therefore must express my vote of no confidence in your continued leadership of the FBI.”

Mr. Grassley, who is a leading lawmaker advocating for the protection of whistleblowers, has repeatedly clashed with the FBI over whistleblower reports of abuse of power and other misconduct at the bureau.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.