JUST IN: Christopher Wray Officially Resigns

According to reports, Christopher A. Wray, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced his resignation on Wednesday during a nationwide all-staff town hall. This marked the end of his tenure just weeks before Donald J. Trump is set to return to the White House.

Wray’s departure comes after months of increasing pressure from Trump and his allies, who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the bureau’s leadership and direction. In recent weeks, Trump had openly declared his intention to replace Wray with Kash Patel, a former administration official and a staunch ally of the president-elect. The move to step down allows Wray, who has served as FBI director since 2017, to exit on his own terms rather than face what many viewed as an inevitable dismissal.

Wray, a Republican and former federal prosecutor, was appointed to the role in 2017 by Trump after the dismissal of James B. Comey. At the time, the bureau was embroiled in controversy surrounding the Russia investigation, which strained the relationship between Trump and the FBI. Although Wray initially maintained a relatively low profile during his early years in office, tensions flared in 2022 following the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida as part of a classified documents investigation.

The search, authorized by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, fueled sharp criticism from Trump, who publicly blamed Wray for the operation despite its approval originating outside of the FBI director’s purview. The strain between Wray and the Trump camp deepened in the years since, with allies of the president-elect accusing the FBI of partisan bias and misconduct. Trump’s campaign rhetoric frequently targeted the agency, pledging significant reforms, including leadership changes and broader oversight.

WATCH:

“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,” Trump said to Fox News. “I just don’t know what happened to him.”

Kash Patel, Trump’s preferred successor, is a former chief of staff to the acting defense secretary and has played a prominent role in the Trump administration’s national security policies. Patel is expected to undergo a contentious confirmation process on Capitol Hill, where Republicans are likely to champion his nomination amid anticipated resistance from Democrats.

Wray’s resignation underscores a significant shift in the political and operational landscape at the FBI as Trump prepares to re-enter the Oval Office. The bureau, which has prided itself on its independence, faces mounting scrutiny from the incoming administration and a polarized Congress.

“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, according to The New York Times. “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.”

“This is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission and I love our people.”

Deputy Director Paul Abbate is likely to oversee operations until a successor is confirmed.

(POLL: Should Pelosi Be Banned From Trading Stocks?)