FBI Director Christopher Wray made the stunning announcement that he will resign within days despite well before the end of his 10-year term, bowing to public pressure from Donald Trump.
Wray told FBI officials the news in a statement Wednesday, Fox News reported.
He was confirmed to his post in 2017 by a wide bipartisan margin after Trump nominated him during his first term.
But the newly elected president, who won re-election by speaking out about what he calls a political “witch hunt” against him, has become increasingly critical and has spoken out against the 2022 FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, which sparked his indictment on charges of detaining national troops. security documents at his club in Florida.
‘Well, I can’t say I’m happy with him. He invaded my house. I’m suing the country about it. He invaded Mar-a-Lago. “I’m very unhappy with the things 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 protested the “deep state” and is considered a key Trump loyalist who has taken up the cause of the January 6 suspects.
FBI Director Christopher Wray resigns and avoids being fired by Donald Trump after being sworn in
“I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will be the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Trump wrote.
A number of Republican senators have already backed the controversial nomination, although Patel is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing.
By announcing his resignation before Trump returns to power, Wray acknowledges political reality — while sparing Trump the need to fire him.
Trump’s firing of former FBI Director James Comey during the Russia investigation rattled lawmakers and itself led to an investigation as part of the Mueller probe.