FBI Director Christopher Wray announced Wednesday that he plans to resign in January, concluding his tenure before the end of his full term amid President Trump’s apparent intent to dismiss him.
“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 during a town hall meeting with FBI staff. He emphasized maintaining the agency’s mission and avoiding further politicization: “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.”
Wray’s resignation comes as Trump moves to replace him with Kash Patel, a controversial figure whose statements have aligned with Trump’s calls for political retribution. Patel’s potential appointment has drawn criticism, particularly from those concerned about the FBI’s independence.
Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017 after the firing of James Comey, has faced significant scrutiny during his tenure, balancing a commitment to “do the right thing in the right way” with mounting criticism from GOP figures accusing the agency of bias against conservatives. These criticisms include allegations of improper actions during the 2016 Trump campaign investigation, which preceded Wray’s leadership.
His departure marks the highest-profile resignation ahead of Trump’s inauguration. “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people,” Wray remarked, underscoring his dedication to the FBI despite the challenging political environment.
