David Petraeus Resigns
As CIA Director, Citing Extramarital Affair
By Sasha Belenky
Posted: 11/09/2012
Full text of Petraeus'
resignation letter:
Yesterday afternoon, I
went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal
reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA. After being married for over 37
years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.
Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an
organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my
resignation.
As I depart Langley, I
want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served
with you, the officers of our Nation’s Silent Service, a work force that is
truly exceptional in every regard. Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host
of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to
you for that.
Teddy Roosevelt once
observed that life’s greatest gift is the opportunity to work hard at work
worth doing. I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you
and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to
an end.
Thank you for your
extraordinary service to our country, and best wishes for continued success in
the important endeavors that lie ahead for our country and our Agency.
With admiration and
appreciation,
David H. Petraeus
