According to people familiar with the discussion, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced his resignation to employees during an internal town hall on Wednesday.
He said that he will step down at the end of the current Biden administration.
“After weeks of deliberation, I’ve determined that the best thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the present administration in January and then stand aside. My goal is to retain the focus on our mission, the invaluable job you undertake on behalf of the American people every day. In my opinion, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau farther into the conflict while reinforcing the values and concepts that are so fundamental to how we perform our jobs,” he stated in his remarks.
“It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: this is not easy for me.” “I love this place, our mission, and our people, but my focus has always been on us and doing what’s best for the FBI,” he added.
“Our work to protect Americans and uphold the Constitution remains crucial in the face of future threats.” What must and must not alter is our unwavering commitment to doing the right thing, every time. “Our adherence to our core values, our commitment to independence and objectivity, and our defense of the rule of law — these fundamental aspects of who we are must never change,” he said.
“The FBI’s true strength lies in its mission, people, and commitment to service over self.” It is a solid foundation that has withstood the test of time and cannot be simply displaced. And it is you, the men and women of the FBI, who will ensure the bureau’s long-term viability and success,” Wray continued.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Kash Patel to replace Wray as FBI director, subject to Senate confirmation.
Trump issued a statement immediately after, criticizing Wray and praising Patel, who was on Capitol Hill Wednesday to rally Republican senators.
“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,” Donald Trump posted on his social media account. “I’m just not sure what happened to him. “We will now restore the rule of law to all Americans.”
Trump specifically targeted the Justice Department’s investigations against him led by special counsel Jack Smith.
“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,” Mr. Trump wrote. “They have used their vast powers to threaten and destroy many innocent Americans, some of which will never be able to recover from what has been done to them.”
Patel informed ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Mary Bruce shortly after Wray’s announcement that he will be available on “Day 1.”
“We look forward to a very smooth transition and I’ll be ready to go on day one,” according to him.
Patel declined to answer any further questions concerning retribution, his message to Trump, or whether he had spoken with the president-elect.
Wray, who was chosen by then-President Trump to a 10-year term and confirmed in August 2017, led the agency through a “heightened threat environment” and a number of high-profile cases, including the probe into the man who appointed him.
To address concerns about political meddling, Congress extended the FBI director’s tenure from ten years to years.
As FBI director, Wray oversaw the investigation of a pro-Trump mob’s Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol, hundreds of Chinese espionage cases, investigations into Trump and President Joe Biden’s handling of confidential data, and thousands of other criminal investigations.
Trump nominated Wray after he sacked his predecessor, James Comey.
Republican critics have charged Wray’s FBI with political meddling, a lack of transparency, and a failure to respond to Congress.
On December 9, Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, the incoming chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed a letter to Wray expressing a “vote of no confidence” in him and his deputy director.
“For the good of the country, it’s time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter of your life,” the senator said.
Grassley reacted promptly to Wray’s departure news.
“Wray’s resignation represents a new age of transparency and responsibility at the FBI. Future FBI directors should learn from Wray’s missteps. “Stonewalling Congress, breaking promises, applying double standards, and turning your back on whistleblowers is no longer acceptable,” the senator stated.
