Democratic National Committee Chair to Resign

Debbie Wasserman Schultz will resign as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

The Florida congresswoman is stepping down as party leader after Wikileaks leaked thousands of emails Friday from DNC staffers, reports CNN. These correspondences showed a preference for Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the party's primary debates.

Wasserman Schultz will leave her post at the end of the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off Monday. In a statement, the chair said she hoped her resignation would best serve Clinton, the presumptive Democratic candidate, in the presidential election.

"Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention," she said, adding, "As Party Chair, this week I will open and close the Convention and I will address our delegates about the stakes involved in this election not only for Democrats, but for all Americans."

During the election, Donna Brazile, the committee's vice chair, will serve as interim chair.

Sanders praised Wasserman Schultz's decision to step down as chair. In a statement, he said she "has made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party."

"While she deserves thanks for her years of service, the party now needs new leadership that will open the doors of the party and welcome in working people and young people," Sanders said. "The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race."

Both Obama and Clinton released statements expressing their gratitude for Wasserman Schultz's service.

"For the last eight years, Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has had my back. This afternoon, I called her to let her know that I am grateful," Obama said.

"I am grateful to Debbie for getting the Democratic Party to this year's historic convention in Philadelphia, and I know that this week's events will be a success thanks to her hard work and leadership," Clinton stated.

In Philadephia, Sanders supporters rejoiced over Wasserman Schultz's resignation at a rally, chanting "Debbie is done."

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, took the opportunity to praise Wasserman Schultz's GOP counterpart, Reince Priebus, and undermine Clinton.

"Today proves what I have always known, that @Reince Priebus is the tough one and the smart one, not Debbie Wasserman Shultz (@DWStweets.)" Trump tweeted. He later added, "Crooked Hillary Clinton was not at all loyal to the person in her rigged system that pushed her over the top, DWS. Too bad Bernie flamed out."