Christopher Wray to resign as FBI director ahead of Trump takeover

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced Wednesday he plans to resign from the agency, leaving his post ahead of President-Trump’s apparent plans to fire him.

“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,” Wray said in a town hall meeting.

“My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. 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.”   

Trump nominated Kash Patel to lead the FBI, signifying his plans to fire Wray, who he nominated to lead the investigation bureau in 2017 and who would otherwise not finish his term until 2027.

Patel has proved a controversial choice to lead the agency, particularly among those concerned about comments mirroring Trump’s calls for retribution.

Trump responded to Wray’s announcement by pushing for Patel’s confirmation and complaining about his legal troubles.

“We will now restore the Rule of Law for all Americans. Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America,” he wrote on his social media site.

The FBI secured a warrant from a judge to search Trump’s home after he resisted numerous requests to return documents from his time as president, with the bureau recovering more than 300 documents with classified markings.

Wray has led the agency under a time of increased scrutiny, taking the reins after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

He’s fond of stressing that the agency must always “do the right thing in the right way” both before lawmakers and FBI staff amid heightened distrust in the agency.

But he’s nonetheless been subject to criticism largely from Republicans who argue the agency has unfairly targeted conservatives. That includes ongoing complaints that the bureau acted improperly when investigating the 2016 Trump campaign — actions that predated Wray’s tenure.

Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray on Wednesday for serving with “integrity and skill.”

“Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law,” Garland said, noting Wray’s service under presidents of both parties. 

“He has my gratitude, the gratitude of the FBI agents and employees whose respect and admiration he has earned, and the gratitude of the American people,” Garland added.

Wray’s departure is the most high-profile resignation ahead of Trump’s Inauguration.

“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,” he said during the town hall. 

Wray often found himself at the center of a years-long grudge match, with House and Senate lawmakers igniting probe after probe. 

Just Monday, incoming Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Wray and his deputy should “move on” in an 11-page letter of grievances, some of which touched on events before Wray’s arrival.

“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.

“I therefore must express my vote of no confidence in your continued leadership of the FBI. President-elect Trump has already announced his intention to nominate a candidate to replace you, and the Senate will carefully consider that choice. For my part, I’ve also seen enough, and hope your respective successors will learn from these failures,” Grassley concluded.

But GOP complaints about the director, a lifelong Republican, were often dismissed by Democrats who said they were targeted at a man who oversaw the bureau during two federal Trump investigations.

“Donald Trump, of course, appointed Christopher Wray. And so at one point, Donald Trump liked him,” Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.) told The Hill.

“Now that Christopher Wray is investigating Donald Trump, he doesn’t like him as much. And it’s quite transparent what’s going on here. And it’s just disappointing to see the House Republicans falling for this obvious trap.”

In his remarks Wednesday Wray defended a legacy he sees as one squarely focused on following FBI guidelines and responding to an increasing number of threats. 

“As the threats have grown, you’ve grown, you’ve adapted and you’ve evolved, because you’ve had to. Because that’s what was required to keep Americans safe,” he told agents. 

“And an awful lot of people are alive today because of your tireless efforts,” he said. 

Wray also stressed FBI commitment to principles he pushed as director, describing them as values that will endure regardless of who leads the agency. 

“The importance of our work — keeping Americans safe and upholding the Constitution — will not change. And what absolutely cannot, must not change is our commitment to doing the right thing, the right way, every time,” he said. 

“Our adherence to our core values, our dedication to independence and objectivity, and our defense of the rule of law — those fundamental aspects of who we are must never change.”

Updated at 3:57 p.m. EST