FBI Director Christopher Wray says he'll resign as Donald Trump takes office
FBI Director Christopher Wray plans to resign in January, as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and plans to replace him with Kash Patel.
WASHINGTON — FBI Director Christopher Wray plans to resign at the end of the Biden administration, as President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Wray told bureau employees on Wednesday.
“After weeks of careful thought, 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 prepared remarks. "My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, 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.”
Trump has already said he will nominate Kash Patel for the position of FBI director, which typically is for a 10-year term, part of a post-Watergate reform intended to make FBI directors less beholden to the whims of presidents.
A senior FBI official told NBC News that the current plan is for Christopher Wray to stay on as FBI director until Jan. 20, when the new administration takes over.
After that, current FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate will be named acting director and will stay on until a new FBI director is confirmed.
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