FBI Director Christopher Wray made the stunning announcement that he will resign within days despite well before the end of his 10-year term, bowing to public pressure from Donald Trump.
Wray told FBI officials the news in a statement Wednesday, in a speech in which he emphasized the importance of “upholding the Constitution.”
“After weeks of careful consideration, I have decided that the right choice for the Agency is to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then resign,” he said, pledging to focus on the agency’s mission desk to keep.
“In my view, this is the best way to prevent the Bureau from being drawn deeper into the fray, while at the same time reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to the way we do our work.”
“It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway – this isn’t easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people – but my focus is, and always has been, on us. and do what’s right for the FBI.”
“When you look at where the threats are going, it’s clear that the importance of our work – keeping Americans safe and upholding the Constitution – will not change.
He was confirmed to his post in 2017 by a wide bipartisan margin after Trump nominated him during his first term.
But the newly elected president, who won re-election by speaking out about what he calls a political “witch hunt” against him, has become increasingly critical and has spoken out against the 2022 FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, which sparked his indictment on charges of detaining national troops. security documents at his club in Florida.
‘Well, I can’t say I’m happy with him. He invaded my house. I’m suing the country about it. He invaded Mar-a-Lago. “I’m very unhappy with the things he’s done, and crime is at an all-time high,” Trump said.
Trump declared last week that Kash Patel would be the next FBI director — without saying anything specific about Wray.
Patel has long protested the “deep state” and is considered a key Trump loyalist who has taken up the cause of the January 6 suspects.
FBI Director Christopher Wray resigns and avoids being fired by Donald Trump after being sworn in
“I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will be the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Trump wrote.
A number of Republican senators have already backed the controversial nomination, although Patel is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing.
Among those who went after him was Trump loyalist Sen. Charles Grassley, who said he had “no confidence” in his continued leadership.
“For the good of the country, it is time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives,” Grassley wrote to him Monday.
Republicans who made comments supporting Wray, meanwhile, faced public pressure from MAGA allies.
That happened to Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who said in 2017 that Trump had “picked a very good man” as FBI director. He said he has had “no objections to the way he handles himself” during closed-door meetings.
That brought a threat from conservative activist Charlie Kirk. “Senator Rounds, you are up for re-election in 2026. If you vote against any of Trump’s nominees, a primary challenge would not be difficult. Just a reminder,” he posted on X.
By announcing his resignation before Trump returns to power, Wray acknowledges political reality — while sparing Trump the need to fire him.
Trump’s firing of former FBI Director James Comey during the Russia investigation rattled lawmakers and itself led to an investigation as part of the Mueller probe.
It was just the latest in a long line of events heading Trump’s way. It will appear on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. There are reports that he will be named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’. His criminal cases have dropped since his election, partly due to internal DOJ policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Shares of his media company have risen even despite poor earnings reports.
There are also reports that his nemesis, special counsel Jack Smith, plans to resign after his Trump cases are concluded. Trump has called Smith “deranged” and said he should be prosecuted.