Chris Wray Plans To Step Down As FBI Director
FBI Director Chris Wray plans to step down at the end of the current administration, as President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel to replace him.
Wray told employees at a town hall of his plans today. Fox News first reported on his announcement.
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Wray told the town hall, “Since the moment I started in this job seven-plus years ago, my focus has been on trying to do what I think is best for our institution—for the Bureau, and ultimately, for the American people we serve, and what sets us up best for success—not just today, but in the long run. So after weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down.
“My goal is to keep the focus on our mission—the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. And in my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.”
Trump had appointed Wray as FBI director in 2017, after firing the previous head of the law enforcement agency, James Comey. Although directors are appointed to 10-year terms, Trump repeatedly lashed out at Wray, including over the investigations that followed Trump’s first term. Trump was irate after agents served a search warrant on Mar-A-Lago in 2022 in an investigation over the former president’s handling of classified documents.
Patel’s confirmation is not necessarily a given, and John Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser, urged lawmakers not to approve him in an op ed in The Wall Street Journal today.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The resignation of Christopher Wray is a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice. I just don’t know what happened to him. We will now restore the Rule of Law for all Americans. Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America.”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, “As we look ahead to the process of confirming a new leader for the FBI, it is essential that the next Director be someone who shares Director Wray’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law, so that the men and women of the FBI can continue their vital work safeguarding national security, fighting crime, and ensuring justice for all.”
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