After Jeff Sessions was asked to resign from the position of U.S. Attorney General on Nov. 7, University of Iowa graduate Matthew Whitaker will take on the role.

The Ankeny native assumed office as acting Attorney General after President Donald Trump forced Sessions out earlier today.

Whitaker worked under George W. Bush in the U.S. Department of Justice. He is affiliated with the Republican Party.

Whitaker played football for Iowa Hawkeyes during his time at the UI. He played as tight end for the Hawkeyes in the 1991 Rose Bowl.

An Ankeny High School graduate, Whitaker earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in communications from the University of Iowa. He then earned a Master of Business Administration, and a Juris Doctor, from the UI.

He worked as a managing partner of Hagenow Gustoff and Dummermuth LLP, a Des Moines based law firm. Whitaker worked for CNN as a legal commentator.

In a tweet, Wednesday, Trump said a permanent replacement for Sessions would be announced at a later time.

We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018