Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Sunday she will step down from her post following the Democratic National Convention this week in Philadelphia.

  • Wasserman Schultz faced intense pressure to resign
  • Emails released by Wikileaks point to effort to undermine Sanders campaign
  • Sanders campaign has long argued Wasserman Schultz is not impartial

Wasserman Schultz released a statement in which she announced her intention to step down but said she would fulfill her duties as chairwoman through this week, including gaveling in and out the convention and speaking to the delegates.

According to our partners at CNN, Wasserman Schultz spoke to both President Barack Obama and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton before making her announcement. She also stated that she remains committed to doing everything she can to help usher Clinton into the White House as the nation's 45th president.

In a statement, Wasserman Schultz said: "Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention. ... 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."

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders also released a statement Sunday:

“Debbie Wasserman Schultz 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. The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race."

Wasserman Schultz's move comes in the wake of thousands of DNC emails leaked to the public by Wikileaks on Friday. Those emails pointed to an effort by DNC staffers to undermine Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign for the party's nomination.

In the days following the leak, pressure reportedly mounted on Wasserman Schultz to resign from both Clinton and Sanders supporters. On Saturday, the DNC Rules Committee announced that Wasserman Schultz would not be speaking to the convention or gaveling in and out the proceedings. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, was to serve as permanent chairwoman of the convention in her place.

According to CNN, chants of "Debbie is done!" broke out at a pro-Sanders rally in Philadelphia following the announcement.

On Sunday, the convention announced that DNC Vice Chair Donna Brazile will serve as interim chairwoman of the committee through the election.