National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre on Friday announced that he would resign from his position at the gun-rights organization.
"With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA," LaPierre said in a press release. "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 cited health reasons for his resignation, effective Jan. 31, which NRA president Charles Cotton accepted. Head of General Operations Andrew Arulanandam will serve as the association's interim CEO and executive vice president, the release said.
The announcement comes before trial proceedings begin Monday in New York attorney general Letitia James's (D.) lawsuit against the NRA. James, who has accused the organization of diverting money to LaPierre and other leaders, was seeking LaPierre's removal, among other remedies. LaPierre stands as an individual defendant in the trial.
The NRA last week failed to persuade a panel of judges to dismiss the suit, which it argued was politically motivated. James in 2018 campaigned on investigating the gun-rights organization.