In a new email today to donors of the Planned Parenthood abortion business, Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards confirms that she is indeed resigning.

News reports surfaced earlier this week from anonymous sources indicating that Richards would be stepping down as a leader of the nation’s biggest abortion company. Under her administration, Planned Parenthood killed as many as 3.8 million unborn children in abortions.

Since the announcement, speculation has run rampant as to why Richards is stepping down.

Many pro-life leaders believe it has to do with the impending FBI investigation into Planned Parenthood’s sale of aborted baby parts that potentially violates both federal and state laws. Other pro-life advocates believe it’s connected to Planned Parenthood’s major loss at the ballot box last fall as its candidate for president Hillary Clinton suffered a devastating and surprising loss to President Donald Trump. The Planned Parenthood abortion business invested very heavily in terms of both time and money into Hillary Clinton’s campaign and Cecile Richards was at the forefront of the movement to get fellow abortion advocate Hillary Clinton in the White House.

Richards’ email today includes a video with her remarks thanking Planned Parenthood supporters for their dedication during her 12 years leading the abortion company. Here is her full message to abortion activists:

I want you to be among the first to hear from me that I will be stepping down from my position as president of Planned Parenthood this year.

After 12 incredible years working alongside some of the most committed and compassionate people in the world, the time has come for me to move on to my next chapter — and for new voices to take the lead at Planned Parenthood.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to be a part of this movement with you, and with the millions of people who stand with Planned Parenthood to protect and expand access to care.

Over the past decade, we have faced down challenges that once seemed impossible to overcome. We have found new ways to lift up our voices and speak our truth. And most important of all, we have helped Planned Parenthood patients receive care they simply could not get anywhere else.

And through it all, through thrilling victories and moments of mourning, we have stood shoulder to shoulder together. What a profound privilege it has been — to stand with you, to work with you, to celebrate and grieve and build hope with you. I said it on my first day here, and I have never forgotten it: people like you are the heart and soul of this organization.

It’s because of your dedication that I know Planned Parenthood will continue to grow and thrive, and to lead the fight for our health and rights. We will need you to keep speaking out when lawmakers threaten access to care. We will need you to keep supporting the health centers that so many patients rely on. We will need every ounce of your courage, your compassion, and your commitment to help ensure that every person can control their own body and decide their own future.

And though I will be stepping down from my leadership role, believe me when I say that I will be with you every step of the way. No matter what.

Thank you for everything you have done and will do to defend our health and rights. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

40 Days for Life president Shawn Carney reacted to the news that Richards is resigning by saying its not a surprise since Planned Parenthood has been facing so many self-created problems,

“Planned Parenthood has had a string of bad CEOs, and they’ve all been unable to keep the billion-dollar operation out of scandal and investigations,” he told LifeNews.

“Planned Parenthood’s image and brand are at an all-time low. Despite receiving more than $500 million of tax funding annually, Planned Parenthood has closed 32% of its facilities since Cecile Richards took over,” Carney said.

“Since Richards has been in charge at Planned Parenthood, 40 Days for Life has grown from one city to 741 – a reflection that the tide has turned on abortion at the local level,” he said.

He said Planned Parenthood’s most recent annual report noted a slight decrease in its own abortion numbers, and in 2017 alone, Planned Parenthood shuttered 32 offices from coast to coast.

“There is a huge disconnect between Cecile Richards and the staff that run Planned Parenthood abortion facilities. We know of 170 workers who have had a change of heart and left the abortion industry during 40 Days for Life campaigns,” said Carney. “Planned Parenthood has lost so much credibility and momentum at the local level.”

Former Planned Parenthood workers report that the “no show” rate for abortion appointments can go as high as 75% when people are outside praying in front of the abortion location.

“Since 40 Days for Life was launched nationally in 2007, we are aware of some 43 Planned Parenthood offices – both abortion facilities and referral centers – that have closed following peaceful 40 Days for Life prayer vigils outside their doors.”