His manager FBIChristopher Wray, announced on Wednesday (11.12.2024) that he will resign his position, before the inauguration of the president-elect of the USA, Donald Trump.
The decision came as Donald Trump publicly criticizes the FBI director at every opportunity for his handling of investigations into him, according to CBS NEWS.
The former federal prosecutor and counterterrorism official announced he is leaving his FBI office during a conference call with other associates.
“After weeks of careful consideration, I have decided that the right thing to do for the office is 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 essential work you do on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the office deeper into controversy, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to the way we do our work,” said Christopher Wray.
“It should go without saying, but I’m going to 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,” he continued.
Donald Trump appointed Christopher Wray as FBI director in 2017 for a 10-year term after firing James Comey.
After Donald Trump lost the presidency to Joe Biden in 2012, Wray remained in office. After the 2024 US election, Donald Trump appeared intent on replacing Wray with Miss Patela former Democratic congressional staffer who had been handpicked by him during his first term for roles in the Defense Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Although FBI directors are appointed for 10-year terms to ensure that the position does not become tainted by political expediency, presidents have the power to fire and appoint directors at any time.
But to do that, the Senate must also vote to confirm the president’s nominee for FBI director.
Wray’s resignation announcement paved the way for Patel to lead the FBI in Donald Trump’s second term.
The “hot” background
Wray, the FBI’s leadership and actions became targets of Donald Trump in 2022 when agents executed an authorized search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
The FBI’s investigation concerned the classified files that Donald Trump hid in his homedocuments he should have left at the White House when Joe Biden defeated him in the national election.
The investigation culminated in special counsel Jack Smith bringing criminal charges against the Republican, which were later dismissed by a federal judge.
Donald Trump then pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
While Donald Trump’s decision to fire Wray from the FBI was expected, there has been tension in the feds over whether that rumor is true or not.
If that happens, Patel would be the third FBI director to work under the Trump administration, at a time when both the Republican and his allies on Capitol Hill are under fire for their adherence to the law.
Donald Trump’s plans to nominate the 44-year-old Patel as FBI director have drawn sharp criticism from both Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill and some former Trump first-term officials.
John Bolton, who served as Trump’s first-term national security adviser and was Patel’s superior, compared his potential appointment to secret police chief Joseph Stalin.
“Fortunately, the FBI is not Stalin’s secret police. The Senate should reject this nomination 100-0,” he said, drawing backlash from Trump allies and Vice President-elect Jay D. Vance.
Republicans on Capitol Hill, on the other hand, appeared open to that option and argued that it could bring change to the FBI.
Patel, who could soon be Wray’s replacement, has been an outspoken critic of the federal agency and has previously said he would implement sweeping reforms and seek to punish Donald Trump.
Source: CBS NEWS