FBI director Christopher Wray will step down in January ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, he announced Wednesday.
Speaking during a town hall to FBI employees, Wray said that his “goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day.”
Trump, who appointed Wray to the director post in 2017, said in November that he intends to nominate Kash Patel as FBI director.
“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 Wednesday. “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.”
“It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me,” Wray continued. “I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.”
More to come …
