Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray reportedly announced he will resign his post prior to President-elect Donald Trump’s administration next January.
Despite having been appointed by President Trump, Director Wray’s relationship with Trump has soured as the FBI has investigated him on numerous occasions.
Wray allegedly told FBI leaders at an internal meeting that he’d decided “to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down" in order to prevent “dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles.”
Trump, who once hailed Wray’s ability to lead the FBI, celebrated Wray’s resignation announcement.
“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,” said Trump.
Trump has faced several FBI investigations, which have included raids into his personal Mar-a-Lago residence, that he’s characterized as politically motivated.
“As everyone knows, I have great respect for the rank-and-file of the FBI, and they have great respect for me. They want to see these changes every bit as much as I do but, more importantly, the American People are demanding a strong, but fair, System of Justice,” continued Trump. “We want our FBI back, and that will now happen.”
Trump’s new FBI nominee is Kash Patel, a former federal prosecutor and Trump’s former Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller.
Conservative lawmakers, who have criticized the FBI and DOJ as they investigated and prosecuted Trump during recent years, celebrated Wray’s resignation.
US Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) stated “reform is badly needed at FBI American ppl deserve TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY” after news emerged of Wray’s resignation.
Conversely, Democrat Senator Dick Durbin (IL) was critical of Wray’s resignation and Patel’s appointment, claiming the FBI “will soon embark on a perilous new era with serious questions about its future.”
