Eliza Collins

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Trey Gowdy has pulled himself out of the running to be FBI Director.

The South Carolina Republican announced Monday that he told Attorney General Jeff Sessions what qualities he thought the FBI director should have and informed him of “my firm conviction that I would not be the right person.”

“Our country and the women and men of the FBI deserve a Director with not only impeccable credentials but also one who can unite the country as we strive for justice and truth. I am confident that person will emerge,” Gowdy said in a statement.

Gowdy was one of a handful of candidates that the White House and Justice Department were considering to replace FBI Director James Comey who was fired last week.