FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2016, file photo, Director of the National Intelligence James Clapper speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Clapper said Sept. 20 that he could never agree with a decision to pardon Edward Snowden. Snowden was an National Security Agency contract employee when he took more than a million documents and leaked them to journalists who revealed massive domestic surveillance programs begun in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says his resignation 'felt pretty good'

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November 17, 2016 10:34 AM EST

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper announced he submitted his letter of resignation to the House Select Committee on Intelligence Wednesday night, he said.

"(I) submitted my letter of resignation last night, which felt pretty good," Clapper said.

His resignation could signal a significant overhaul of the nation's intelligence community leadership. Clapper spent a number of years working for the Obama administration.

JUST IN: U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper announces his resignation. Clapper first from Obama administration to resign.
— KCTV5 News (@KCTV5) November 17, 2016

Clapper: Resignation 'felt pretty good'

He added: "I have 64 days left and I'd have a pretty hard time with my wife going past that."

All members of an outgoing administration must submit a resignation at some point -- it's is generally up to the incoming president's administration to decide whether to ask that appointee to stay in their post, or nominate a new person for the role.