FBI Director Christopher Wray announced on Wednesday that he will resign before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office next month. The decision follows weeks of deliberation and comes as Wray’s tenure has faced mounting criticism from Republicans.
Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017 to a 10-year term, has been a contentious figure, particularly due to the FBI’s investigations into Trump after his presidency.
Speaking at a bureau-wide meeting, Wray stated: “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.” He emphasized that his resignation would help shield the FBI from further political turmoil, adding, “This is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray while upholding the values and principles critical to our work.”
Wray’s announcement was met with a standing ovation from attendees, some of whom were reportedly moved to tears, according to an anonymous official speaking to the Associated Press.
Trump originally nominated Wray to replace James Comey, whom he fired during the FBI’s investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. At the time, Trump praised Wray as a man of “impeccable credentials.”
However, relations between the two soured in recent years, particularly after the FBI played a central role in investigating Trump’s handling of classified documents. While the case has since been closed, Wray’s leadership has remained a focal point of Republican criticism.
Reacting to the resignation, Trump called it “a great day for America.” On Truth Social, he wrote, “This will end the weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice. We will now restore the rule of law for all Americans.”
Trump also confirmed plans to nominate Kash Patel, a loyal aide and staunch ally, as the next FBI Director, signaling a shift in leadership priorities under the incoming administration.
