
FBI Director Christopher Wray announces resignation, defends agency’s actions in final interview.
At a Glance
- Christopher Wray will resign as FBI Director at the end of the current administration in January
- Wray defends the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago and emphasizes the agency’s commitment to independence
- He identifies China as the greatest long-term threat to the United States
- President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate Kash Patel as the new FBI Director
- Wray’s tenure was marked by politically sensitive investigations involving both Trump and Biden
Wray Announces Resignation, Defends FBI’s Independence
FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his intention to step down from his position at the end of the current administration in January. The decision comes after President-elect Donald Trump stated he would replace Wray with Kash Patel. In a recent “60 Minutes” interview, Wray explained his reasons for resigning and defended the FBI’s actions during his tenure.
Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 after the firing of James Comey, fell out of favor with the former president for not investigating Trump’s claims about the 2020 election and for the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago. Despite these controversies, Wray maintained that the FBI’s actions were necessary and lawful.
Defending the Mar-a-Lago Raid
In his interview, Wray stood firm on the FBI’s decision to conduct the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. He explained that the agency had a duty to act when they learned that classified material was not being properly stored.
“And when we learn that information, classified material, is not being properly stored, we have a duty to act. And I can tell you that in investigations like this one, a search warrant is not and here was not anybody’s first choice,” Wray said.
Wray said that the FBI’s job is to follow the facts wherever they lead, regardless of political preferences or outcomes. He stressed the importance of maintaining independence and objectivity in investigations, despite external pressures.
China: The Greatest Long-Term Threat
During the interview, Wray also addressed what he considers to be the most significant long-term threat facing the United States. He identified the Chinese government as the defining threat of our generation, citing extensive cyber theft and infiltration of critical infrastructure.
“Well, the greatest long-term threat facing our country, in my view, is represented by the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government, which I consider to be the defining threat of our generation,” said Wray.
Wray’s time as FBI Director has been marked by politically charged investigations involving both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Despite these challenges, Wray maintained that the FBI remained committed to its mission of protecting the American people and upholding the rule of law.