Paul Abbate

The F.B.I.’s acting director abruptly retired on Monday as the bureau faces a potentially tumultuous leadership change under the Trump administration. The move left unclear who would take over once the departure of the acting director, Paul Abbate, took effect at noon. His exit is unusual given that the acting director typically remains in place until a new director is confirmed by the Senate to ensure stability at the highest ranks of the bureau. Abbate took command of the bureau on Sunday after Christopher A. Wray, the previous director, announced last month that he would step down before the inauguration. President Trump appointed Mr. Wray in 2017 but publicly attacked him and the F.B.I., which repeatedly investigated him. In a rare move, Mr. Wray extended the service of Mr. Abbate, who is 57, the mandatory retirement age of certain F.B.I. agents. Abbate was named deputy director in February 2021, and Mr. Wray has said it was one of the best decisions he made during his time at the bureau. As deputy, Mr. Abbate oversaw all of the F.B.I.’s domestic and international investigative and intelligence activities and operations. The bureau has about 38,000 employees with agents stationed around the world and other U.S. agencies.