National Rife Association CEO Wayne LaPierre, who led the powerful gun lobby organization for over three decades and oversaw its rapid decline in recent years, announced his resignation Friday ahead of a civil corruption trial.
Despite the looming civil case in New York, LaPierre cited health reasons for his exit. Andrew Arulanandam is set to become interim CEO when the longtime boss’ resignation takes effect at the end of the month.
“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. “I’ve been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom.”
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Both LaPierre and the NRA face a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James, who alleged LaPierre personally splurged on hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of charitable assets for private trips for himself.
He testified in 2020 that he resided on a private yacht owned by an NRA contractor after fearing for his life amid backlash aimed at his gun org, claiming he was under “Presidential threat without Presidential security.”
Opening arguments had been slated for next week in the corruption trial. James had sought to oust LaPierre from his post, and his exit complicates the trial before it even begins.
Until now LaPierre managed to keep himself in the top job as the gun group amid rampant internal turmoil and the collapse of influence and revenue. After nearly five decades with the group, his leadership is set to end with the NRA weaker and more cash-strapped than ever before.
