FBI chief Wray to step down, paving the way for Trump’s controversial pick of Patel Donald Trump News

According to the agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray will resign from his post before the second term of United States President-elect Donald Trump.

In a statement to employees released by the agency on Wednesday, Wray cited his desire to keep the agency out of long-term conflict with the incoming president, who takes office on Jan. 20.

Wray has been a top target of Trump in recent years, with the former president citing the FBI’s involvement in several investigations into his conduct. This included the execution of a search warrant in August 2022 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, in which agents gathered evidence for an eventual federal indictment related to the hoarding of classified White House documents.

The resignation would clear the way for Kash Patel, Trump’s controversial choice to take over the agency, although his appointment would still require Senate confirmation. Trump had already confirmed his plan to fire Wray, whose 10-year appointment in the role was not set to expire until 2027.

“After weeks of careful consideration, I have decided that the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down,” Wray said in his statement.

“In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau further into the fight while reinforcing the values ​​and principles that are so important to the work we do.”

Trump earlier this month nominated Patel, who previously served as a national security aide and has been a strong ally of the former president.

Trump called him a “brilliant lawyer, investigator and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice and protecting the American people”.

But the appointment raised concerns about Patel’s suitability for the role, including from within Trump’s own Republican Party.

The firebrand has regularly issued blatant threats to prosecute political opponents and investigators investigating Trump and has promised to free the FBI from the so-called “deep state” – a conspiracy phrase referring to this belief. That secret networks of power are embedded within. Government.

He has also promised to close the agency’s Washington, DC headquarters.

Legal observers have warned that the agency could lose its independence under Patel, becoming instead an arm of the Trump White House.

Trump praised the resignation

In a statement on his Truth Social account after Wray’s announcement, Trump called the resignation a “great day for America.”

Trump again criticized Wray for the Mar-a-Lago search, writing that FBI agents “illegally raided my home”. He further accused the director of participating in the “weaponization” of the American justice system, although legal scholars have routinely stated that there were legal grounds for the federal cases against Trump.

“Now we will restore the rule of law to all Americans,” Trump wrote. Using his signature superlative, he described Patel as “the most qualified nominee to lead the FBI in the history of the agency.” Praised.

A federal judge has dismissed the case against Trump over federally classified documents. A second federal case related to Trump’s role in trying to overturn the 2020 election results has also been dismissed as requested by prosecutors. The Justice Department has a long-standing policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.

Trump is also likely to seek withholding of sentence in a conviction in New York state related to hush money payments, and his lawyers have sought to dismiss another state case in Georgia related to the 2020 elections.

Trump himself appointed Wray in 2017 to replace then-FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. At the time, Trump described that investigation as part of his decision.

It’s unclear whether Republicans, who have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, will reach the simple majority they need to confirm Patel next year.

Trump has chosen several controversial figures to lead key agencies in his administration, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth – who has been accused of having ties to white nationalist movements and mistreating women – and Tulsi Gabbard – who has come under renewed scrutiny for her advocacy. The government of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled – as was the director of national intelligence, among others.

In recent years, opposing parties have used the filibuster to prolong confirmation hearings to polarize nominees.

In November, firebrand former Congressman Matt Gaetz dropped out of contention after Trump nominated him for attorney general.