Famed NBC News Correspondent Pete Williams to Retire After 29 Years With the Network

NBC News’ Pete Williams will retire from the network after 29 years, announced NBC News president Noah Oppenheim on Thursday.

In a memo to NBC News employees, obtained by Mediaite, Oppenheim said Williams, 70, will sign off at the end of July.

The Washington Post first reported on Thursday the news of Williams’ upcoming departure.

Throughout his career, Williams has broken numerous stories, the biggest one being earlier this year of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement.

Oppenheim said:

Pete has been one of the nation’s foremost authorities covering the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice for nearly three decades. His career has been defined by his reputation for accuracy, reliability, and unmatched expertise in the subjects he covers.

From the most consequential Supreme Court cases of our time – like marriage equality and the legal battles over the Affordable Care Act – to major breaking news events – like 9/11, the Boston Marathon bombing, and so much more – Pete’s reporting has always been ironclad. His ability to break down the most complex and fast-developing situations is uncanny.

Prior to joining NBC News, Williams was Pentagon spokesperson under Dick Cheney. Before joining the Pentagon, Williams was a reporter and news director in Wyoming, where he was born. During his time at the Pentagon, Williams was outed amid the Defense Department’s prohibition of gay men serving in the military. Williams has a partner, David.

In his note to NBC News employees, Oppenheim lauded Williams’ personality.

“In short, for generations of NBC News reporters, working alongside Pete has been a daily masterclass in journalism,” he said. “But perhaps more importantly, it has been a masterclass in what it means to be a good colleague. Pete’s decency, kindness, and generosity are unmatched. For those that know Pete well, it’s his warmth, humor, wit, and compassion that will be missed most.”