WASHINGTON – In a statement released Saturday, NBC News anchor Brian Williams announced he will be stepping aside from his role for the “next several days.”
Earlier this week, Williams apologized for falsely saying on the air that he was in a helicopter hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while in Iraq in 2003.
NBC News announced Friday its own investigative unit would look into Williams’ statements.
Note from Williams sent to NBC News staff:
In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions.
As Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days, and Lester Holt has kindly agreed to sit in for me to allow us to adequately deal with this issue. Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us.
