US President-elect Donald Trump hailed the announcement of FBI Director Christopher Wray’s resignation as “a great day for America.” Wray informed FBI employees on Wednesday that he plans to step down at the conclusion of President Joe Biden’s term, paving the way for a transition to Trump’s nominee, Kashyap “Kash” Patel, pending Senate confirmation.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “Christopher Wray’s resignation marks a significant step toward ending the weaponization of what is now known as the United States Department of Injustice.” He further stated, “This will help restore the Rule of Law for all Americans.”
Trump criticized Wray’s tenure, accusing him of abusing his authority. “Under Wray’s leadership, the FBI illegally raided my home, pursued baseless impeachments and indictments against me, and engaged in efforts to interfere with America’s future,” Trump alleged. He also claimed Wray misused his power to “threaten and harm many innocent Americans.”
Trump praised Patel as “the most qualified nominee in the FBI’s history” and expressed confidence in his ability to restore “law, order, and justice.” He added, “We want our FBI back, and that will now happen.”
Although Wray still had three years remaining in his 10-year term, his decision to resign came after Trump announced Patel as his nominee and publicly criticized Wray’s leadership. Addressing FBI employees, Wray stated, “I believe stepping down at the end of this administration is the right decision for the bureau,” emphasizing his commitment to preserving the agency’s values and avoiding further political entanglement.
Trump, who had not formally requested Wray’s resignation, had recently expressed dissatisfaction. In an NBC News interview on Sunday, he said, “He invaded Mar-a-Lago. I’m very unhappy with the things he’s done.”
Initially appointed by Trump in 2017 to succeed James Comey, Wray was once praised as “a model of integrity” and “impeccably qualified.” However, their relationship soured, particularly after the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
During Wray’s tenure, the FBI also investigated Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, over potential tax violations and gun law infractions. Trump’s nomination of Patel signals a reshaping of the FBI’s leadership, positioning him to influence the agency, which faced numerous controversies during Trump’s first term, including probes into Russian election interference and classified document handling.
