Yesterday evening, NBC News announced that Brian Williams would not be returning from his “several days” off in self-imposed hiatus. At least for a while. NBC News’ president Deborah Turness has put Williams on a six-month suspension without pay following the past week and a half of rolling revelations about his very public lies and “misremembering.” Many believe that NBC News is just going to use these six months to get all of their ducks in a row and look for a new permanent anchor, and that at the end of the six months, Williams will be out completely. In the meantime, Lester Holt will be filling in as the temporary anchor. Which is awesome. Lester Holt is the best. Turness released this open letter about Williams’ suspension, and here’s something interesting: NBC’s internal investigation isn’t even completed!!

We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as Managing Editor and Anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months. The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately. We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News.

Our review, which is being led by Richard Esposito working closely with NBCUniversal General Counsel Kim Harris, is ongoing, but I think it is important to take you through our thought process in coming to this decision.

While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian’s position. In addition, we have concerns about comments that occurred outside NBC News while Brian was talking about his experiences in the field.

As Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times.

Steve Burke, Pat Fili and I came to this decision together. We felt it would have been wrong to disregard the good work Brian has done and the special relationship he has forged with our viewers over 22 years. Millions of Americans have turned to him every day, and he has been an important and well-respected part of our organization. As I’m sure you understand, this was a very hard decision. Certainly there will be those who disagree. But we believe this suspension is the appropriate and proportionate action.

This has been a difficult time. But NBC News is bigger than this moment. You work so hard and dedicate yourselves each and every day to the important work of bringing trusted, credible news to our audience. Because of you, your loyalty, your dedication, NBC News is an organization we can – and should – all be proud of. We will get through this together.

[From NBC News]

Do you think this is the right decision? I think it would have seemed stronger if this had happened last week, you know? When the first wave of controversy hit last week, Williams should have been suspended for a few weeks to allow for an internal investigation, then once the investigation was complete, they should have just fired him. But, on the other hand, I guess NBC looks loyal to their on-air talent (except for, you know, Ann Curry) and like they were giving Williams the benefit of the doubt. But it’s pretty hardcore for Williams to be suspended without pay only a few days into the internal investigation. Williams has probably been lying about a lot more, don’t you think?

Photos courtesy of WENN.