FBI Director Christopher Wray Expected to Resign Ahead of Donald Trump’s Presidency | US News
The FBI director, Christopher Wray, has announced his resignation effective at the end of Joe Biden’s term in January, prior to Donald Trump’s assumed presidency.
This decision follows closely behind the president-elect’s indication that he plans to nominate Kash Patel, a loyalist, for the director position.
During a town hall session, Mr. Wray stated he arrived at his decision after “weeks of careful thought.”
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FBI director Christopher Wray speaking earlier this year in a Senate hearing.
Pic: AP
As a result, he will depart three years short of fulfilling his ten-year term, a period that has seen numerous significant and politically sensitive inquiries, including an FBI operation that searched Mr. Trump’s residence in Florida in 2022.
Mr. Trump has voiced his dissatisfaction with Mr. Wray on several occasions, including a recent appearance on NBC News’ Meet The Press.
In that interview, he remarked, “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” referring to the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago estate amid an ongoing federal investigation into the mishandling of classified materials—a case that has since been dismissed.
By resigning before being dismissed, Mr. Wray indicated he sought to prevent a clash with the incoming administration that could further politicize the FBI and pull it “deeper into the fray.”
Mr. Wray communicated to his staff: “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission—the essential work you’re doing on behalf of the American people each day.
“In my judgment, this is the best course to avoid dragging the bureau further into the fray while upholding the values and principles crucial to how we operate.”
Kash Patel speaking at a rally in Minden, Nevada, in 2022.
File pic: AP
Mr. Trump appointed Mr. Wray to the position in 2017 after dismissing the former FBI head, James Comey, due to the bureau’s inquiries into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and alleged collusion with the Trump campaign.
Initially, Mr. Wray was set to serve a ten-year term designed to insulate appointees from the political fluctuations associated with changing administrations.
In response to the resignation news, Mr. Patel remarked, “We anticipate a very smooth transition at the FBI, and I’m prepared to start on day one.”
Conversely, Mr. Trump characterized Mr. Wray’s exit as a “great day.”
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He added, “I simply don’t understand what happened to him.”
While in office, Mr. Wray seldom appeared keen to challenge the White House directly, though he did notably diverge on certain occasions.
