The White House on Monday named a veteran agent to serve as acting FBI director after the official who'd been expected to run the bureau on an interim basis following the departure of Christopher Wray retired after nearly 30 years.

Paul Abbate made the unexpected announcement in an email to senior officials Monday ahead of President Trump's inauguration.

Paul Abbate, who became the FBI’s acting director following the departure of Christopher Wray, is retiring from the bureau, according to an email he sent to senior executives that was obtained by