Resigning After Biden Administration Ends Despite Remaining Term
Successor Patel Vows 'Retaliation'
Christopher Wray, Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced on the 11th (local time) that he plans to resign in line with the inauguration of the Trump administration. This is interpreted as a response to the implicit 'vote of no confidence' pressure following President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Kashy Patel, former Acting Secretary of Defense Chief of Staff, as the next FBI Director.
According to remarks released by the FBI to the U.S. media, Director Wray said at a town hall event with FBI employees on the same day, "After several weeks of consideration, I have determined that it is right for the FBI that I work until the current administration ends in January next year and then step down."
Christopher Wray, Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.
Director Wray stated, "My goal is for you to focus on our mission, the essential work you do every day for the American people," adding, "In my view, this (resignation) is the best way to reinforce the values and principles that are critical to how we do our work, while preventing the FBI from being drawn deeper into chaos."
He went on to say that the decision to resign "is not an easy one." He continued, "I love this place, I love our mission, and I love the people here," but "what I have focused on and continue to focus on is what is right for the FBI."
Director Wray was appointed in 2017 during President Trump's first term and still has about two years left on his 10-year term after the new administration takes office. However, President-elect Trump announced on the 30th of last month that he would appoint Kashy Patel, former Acting Secretary of Defense Chief of Staff, as the next FBI Director.
Although Director Wray is resigning voluntarily, it appears he is stepping down under pressure from President-elect Trump. For the new FBI Director nominated by Trump to take office, Wray must either resign voluntarily or be dismissed by Trump after his inauguration, as Wray's term has not yet expired.
It is widely believed that Director Wray fell out of favor with President-elect Trump after the FBI conducted a search of Trump's residence during an investigation into the removal and illegal possession of classified documents following Trump's first term.
CNN, citing sources familiar with Director Wray, reported that while Wray wants to facilitate an orderly transition, there are concerns within the FBI that his resignation could set a precedent for replacing FBI Directors disliked by the President-elect. This undermines the original intent of the 10-year term for the FBI Director, which is to ensure the political neutrality of the top investigative agency. President-elect Trump also dismissed an FBI Director with a remaining term during his first term in office.
Patel, who has been nominated as Wray's successor, labeled the 2020 election as a 'fraud.' He has also sparked controversy by signaling that, if Trump is re-elected, he would effectively retaliate against journalists and others who believe President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
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