CIA Director John Brennan released a statement Wednesday afternoon announcing the retirement of CIA deputy director Michael Morell.
"[Morell] has decided to retire to spend more time with his family and to pursue other professional opportunities," Brennan said in his statement.
Morell served 33 years in the CIA. He briefed President George W. Bush on the Sept. 11 attacks and was on hand during the Osama bin Laden raid, according to NPR.
He will be replaced by Avril Haines, deputy assistant to the president and legal adviser to the National Security Council.
