By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-11 19:37:02 | Updated at 2024-12-22 12:37:08
1 week ago
FBI Director Christopher Wray made the stunning announcement that he is resigning within days long before the end of his 10-year term, bowing to public pressure from Donald Trump.
Wray gave FBI employees the news in a statement Wednesday, in a speech where he stressed the importance of 'upholding the Constitution.'
'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,' he said, vowing to keep the focus on the bureau's mission.
'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.'
'It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.'
'When you look at where the threats are headed, it’s clear that the importance of our work — keeping Americans safe and upholding the Constitution — will not change,' he said.
He was confirmed to his post by a broad bipartisan margin in 2017 after Trump nominated him during his first term.
But the president-elect, who won reelection railing against what he calls a political 'witch hunt' against him, has been increasingly critical, inveighing against the FBI's raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022 that fueled his indictment on charges of holding national security documents at his Florida club.
'Well, I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home. I’m suing the country over it. He invaded Mar-a-Lago. I’m very unhappy with the things he — he’s done, and crime is at an all time high,' Trump said.
Trump declared last week that Kash Patel would be the next FBI Director – without saying anything specific about Wray.
Patel has long railed against the 'deep state' and is considered a key Trump loyalist who has taken up the cause of January 6 defendants.
FBI Director Christopher Wray is resigning, avoiding being fired by Donald Trump after he is sworn in
'I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,' Trump wrote.
A number of Republican senators have already gotten behind the controversial nomination, although Patel is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing.
Among those going after him was Trump loyalist Sen. Charles Grassley, who said he had 'no confidence' in his continued leadership.
'For the good of the country, it’s time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives,' Grassley wrote him Monday.
Republicans who issued comments that were supportive of Wray, meanwhile, faced public pressure from MAGA allies.
That happened to South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, who said Trump back in 2017 'picked a very good man' to be FBI director. He said he has had 'no objections to the way he's handled himself' during closed-door meetings.
That brought a threat form conservative activist Charlie Kirk. 'Senator Rounds, you are up for reelection in 2026. If you vote against any of Trump’s nominees a primary challenge wouldn’t be hard. Just a reminder,' he posted on X.
By announcing his resignation before Trump retakes office, Wray is acknowledging the political reality – while sparing Trump the need to fire him.
Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey amid the Russia probe startled lawmakers and itself prompted a probe as part of the Mueller investigation.
It was just the latest in a long series of events going Trump's way. He is set to ring in the New York Stock Exchange Thursday. There are reports he'll be named Time's 'Person of the Year.' His criminal cases have fallen away since his election, in part due to internal DOJ policies against prosecuting a sitting president. Shares in his media company have rallied even amid poor earnings reports.
There have also been reports that his nemesis special counsel Jack Smith plans to resign after wrapping up his Trump cases. Trump has called Smith 'deranged' and said he should be prosecuted.
Wray, a Republican, was coming under pressure on multiple fronts. House Republicans have maintained their narrow majority, and Trump allies have replaced more traditional party members and taken over powerful posts. Republicans have seized control of the Senate and have gone along with Trump's calls to probe investigators and prosecutors who went after him.
