NBC's Chuck Todd leaves 'Meet the Press' as Kristen Welker becomes host

NBC News reporter Chuck Todd on Sunday said he is leaving "Meet the Press" after hosting the talk show for nine years, and NBC's co-chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker will take over the show.

"It’s been an amazing nearly decade-long run. I am really proud of what this team and I have built over the last decade," Todd said Sunday on a broadcast of the show. "I’ve loved so much of this job, helping to explain America to Washington and explain Washington to America."

He plans on remaining at NBC as chief political analyst.

Welker has regularly substituted for Todd on "Meet the Press" and will fully take over the show after Todd steps down this year.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.