General David Petraeus has resigned his post as CIA Director, citing an extramarital affair.
RT @joshrogin: Petraeus' statement to CIA staff on his resignation http://t.co/gWZ4VZmx
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) November 9, 2012
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
The White House has issued a statement in response:
https://twitter.com/b_fung/status/266999158806822912
Obama reacts to Gen. Petraeus's resignation: I'm completely confident the CIA will continue to thrive http://t.co/KQxXg0Ch
— lesley clark (@lesleyclark) November 9, 2012
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Many Twitterers are reacting to the news with shock and disappointment:
https://twitter.com/fluentblarney/status/266999117916561409
https://twitter.com/bellaphonic/status/266999106910703616
https://twitter.com/Steve_Nava/status/266999011167326208
https://twitter.com/mattbfarwell/status/266998877146714112
Wow did not see that coming about General Petraeus
— Kirpa Badwal (@k_Badwal) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/DHS_Durkin/status/266999021539819520
Extra-marital affair huh? WOW Gen Petraeus 37 years yeah very poor judgement. #iQuit
— Li Black (@Queenli) November 9, 2012
Can't believe this junk with #CIA Director #Petraeus retires following confession of an affair! Why General why?!?!?!?
— Ryan A. Rose (@ThePastorRyan) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/wrobers93/status/267004453822013440
Yikes RT @BreakingNews: CIA Director David Petraeus submits letter of resignation, cites extra-marital affair
— Michael *SYBAITMFH* Vinson (@michaelvinson) November 9, 2012
General Petraeus was set to testify next week in a closed hearing on Benghazi:
This Petraeus resignation comes as he is set to testify next week on Capitol Hill in the Benghazi hearing
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/jimmiebjr/status/266995991931150336
And for some, the timing of the resignation is extremely suspect:
BREAKING NEWS…
Petraeus Resigns….. Timing questionable.. http://t.co/Cw97Trra— Jan Morgan (@JanMorganMedia) November 9, 2012
PLOT THICKENS: Catherine Herridge of FNC Petraeus has resigned on the eve of critical hearings on Capitol Hill re. Benghazi.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) November 9, 2012
COINCIDENCE?! Petraeus is set to testify NEXT week at a closed door session on Capitol Hill abt Benghazi. Did BHO push him out? This stinks!
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) November 9, 2012
coincidence that Petraeus called as a witness on Benghazi and decides to resign?
— Debbie Shumate (@cerdlk) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/Ab_Weezy/status/266999153123545088
https://twitter.com/ZckBrwn/status/266999148178464768
Petraeus resigns. Why are alarm bells going off in my head about Benghazi? Anyone else?
— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) November 9, 2012
Am I being too cloak-and-dagger for thinking Petraeus was resigned for Benghazi mess, with (real) affair as cover?
— Brett Thomas (@the_quark) November 9, 2012
Seems predictable Petraeus would be the fall guy for Benghazi.
— jwp (@jonwpetoskey) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/RobertFHiatt/status/266999020801642496
Petraeus resigns, claims "extramarital affair." Was supposed to testify re Benghazi next week. This is one very suspicious covert affair.
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) November 9, 2012
This is Petraeus falling on the sword for not taking blame for #BenghaziCoverUp The alternative must have been death.
— GuyXPro ℠ (@GuyXPro) November 9, 2012
I'm sure Petraeus resigning was a complete coincidence http://t.co/Q6fG6oGd
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) November 9, 2012
***
Update:
Petraeus will no longer be testifying:
With Petraeus’ resignation effective immediately, he will not testify next week & lawmakers are said to be "stunned" by the announcement
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) November 9, 2012
Petraeus will not testify at Congressional hearings next week on #Benghazi. They are expecting someone else to represent the CIA though.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 9, 2012
RT "CIA Dir. Petraeus claims no connex bt resig. & Benghazi. Hell, If he LIES to his wife of 37 yrs, why do we believe him now?" TOUGH.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/NathanWurtzel/status/267009284754243584
Citizens who have been demanding the truth about Benghazi are furious:
How does resigning get Petraeus off the hook for testifying? Any military experts out there know the answer?
— A.J. Delgado (@AJDelgado13) November 9, 2012
@Gkelly20 Petraeus admits to affair, resigns, now suddenly doesn't have to testify at Libya hearings next week. Something smells.
— Seth (@dcseth) November 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/slone/status/267014144841101313
So Petraeus won't be testifying next week at closed #Benghazi hearings. Sine qua non, patriots. Sine qua non. As planned. The fix is in.
— Gretchen Casey (@SheWhoCarries) November 9, 2012
Congress needs to subpoena ex-CIA Director David Petraeus to testify on what he did! #TCOT
— MinuteMan1776 (@MinuteMan1776) November 9, 2012
Why can't PETRAEUS BE COMPELLED to testify by Congress?! 4 dead Americans not enough!!! Tragic.
— Cruzen Texas ?? ? #TB12 ??? (@CruzenTexas) November 9, 2012
So… Petraeus does not have to testify? Just like that? :/ #tcot
— Deplorable Covfefe (@deeplorabl) November 9, 2012
@dawnsbrain Very fishy. Republicans and #MSM must demand that #Petraeus testify at #Benghazi hearings.
— Ken Fischetti (@kfischetti) November 9, 2012
There's no reason Petraeus shouldn't testify at the Benghazi hearing, and the president should make sure he does.
— Stefan Becket (@becket) November 9, 2012
Petraeus will not testify in Benghazi hearings – Our 4 Dead americans get NO JUSTICE! More cover up
— Ileana G Raspall (@LastFlightIn) November 9, 2012
No. Nobody can. RT @andylevy: Can someone explain why resigning over an affair excuses Petraeus from testifying about Benghazi?
— Debbie, BS, MS, MS, MS, PMP, AA, BA (@mosesmosesmoses) November 9, 2012
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