FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his decision to resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month, following weeks of deliberation.
Wray made the announcement during an internal FBI meeting on Wednesday, where he expressed that stepping down after the current administration ends in January would be the best way to protect the bureau from political controversy while upholding its core values.
Trump, who appointed Wray in 2017 to a 10-year term, has openly criticized the FBI director over the agency’s investigations into his actions after leaving office. This criticism intensified following the FBI’s involvement in a probe into Trump’s handling of classified documents, a case that was eventually dropped. Trump has since nominated Kash Patel, a vocal critic of the FBI, to take over as the next FBI director. Patel, a former aide to Trump, has advocated for dramatically limiting the FBI’s powers and purging its top ranks.
In his resignation speech, Wray emphasized his belief that his departure would help the FBI avoid further political entanglements and preserve its integrity. He received a standing ovation from FBI staff, with some in the audience visibly emotional. Wray’s decision follows a turbulent period of strained relations with Trump, who had previously appointed him after firing James Comey, the former FBI director.
Patel’s appointment, which requires Senate approval, has raised concerns among critics about his qualifications to lead the agency. Patel, who has been critical of what he calls “government tyranny” within the FBI, expressed optimism about a smooth transition and his plans to restore “law and order” and integrity to the bureau.
While some Republican lawmakers, such as Chuck Grassley, have expressed support for Patel’s nomination, others have questioned his ability to handle the responsibilities of running the FBI. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, a Democrat, acknowledged Wray’s service and warned that the FBI was about to enter a “perilous new era” under the incoming administration.
Wray’s departure marks a significant shift in the FBI’s leadership at a time when the agency’s future remains uncertain amid increasing political scrutiny.
The FBI director serves a 10-year term to provide stability beyond the typical political cycles, and Wray’s resignation leaves the agency in the hands of Deputy Director Paul Abbate until Patel, if confirmed, takes office.
