The US intelligence chief just resigned The US intelligence chief just resigned

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Capitol Hill testifying before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on "Worldwide threats to America and our allies." Thomson Reuters

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper announced Thursday morning that he would resign after finishing out the final 64 days of his term.

Clapper announced his resignation before the House Intelligence Committee during a hearing.

"I submitted my letter of resignation last night, which felt pretty good," he told the committee. "I have 64 days left, and I would have a hard time with my wife for anything past that."

Clapper was expected to leave his post after President Barack Obama finished his term, but the announcement of his resignation came earlier than anticipated.

Regarding the election of Republican Donald Trump as president, Clapper's office told NPR that his resignation letter was "not a move designed to register protest or lack of confidence in the incoming administration."

Over the past few months, Clapper contended with the hacking of Democratic National Convention officials as well as charges that bosses at US Central Command pressured analysts to alter their intelligence reports about ISIS.

This story has been edited to reflect that Clapper will finish out the remaining 64 days of his term.