![]() ![]() It’s hardly unusual for tension to exist between a president and FBI director. But presidents have generally respected the 10-year terms of FBI directors, a tenure designed to ensure the bureau’s political independence. If he loses, Republican lawmakers may encourage him to keep Wray on board rather than leave Biden with a vacancy to fill himself.īiden has not said if he would replace Wray. If he wins, he could seek an FBI director more willing to back his political agenda. It’s unclear if Trump would fire Wray after the election. He said last week that Wray is “not doing a very good job” if he won’t acknowledge the possibility of rampant voter fraud, which Wray and other officials and experts have disputed as being a widespread problem. ![]() Wray’s future is seen as uncertain because Trump has already fired one FBI director and has repeatedly lashed out at Wray. He said the FBI is committed to providing information about the “important work being performed by our 37,000 employees located in 56 field offices across the country and stationed all over the world.” That includes pointing out his compliance with document demands from congressional Republicans looking to discredit the Trump-Russia investigation, and the FBI’s cooperation with a prosecutor whose investigation into the origins of that probe led to charges against a former FBI lawyer for altering an email.įBI spokesman Brian Hale said in a statement that it’s important for Americans “to know that we have been transparent and cooperative with congressional oversight inquiries and Department of Justice reviews,” including those of the probe into whether Trump’s campaign coordinated with Russia in the 2016 election. It cited Justice Department policy in declining to confirm or deny investigations.Įven as Wray has angered Trump by contradicting him on some issues, the FBI has eagerly highlighted his cooperation on others critical for Republicans. Asked by a Trump ally in the Senate to weigh in on their authenticity, the FBI replied with an understated letter that did not dispute the national intelligence director’s conclusion that the laptop on which they were found was not related to Russian disinformation, but did not address broader issues about its authenticity. The latest example came Tuesday on a matter Trump has made a top talking point in the final weeks of the campaign: the publication of emails purportedly from Joe Biden’s son, Hunter. Yet the bureau has also tried to avoid confrontations where possible, making clear that it is striving to be responsive to Republican lawmakers on politically charged investigations. He has sought to defend the FBI’s independence and its integrity even as it puts him at odds with Trump and his allies. With Washington abuzz about his possible dismissal, Wray and the FBI have engaged in a delicate balancing act as they address hot-button issues. His eldest son tweeted last week that Wray is working to “protect corrupt Democrats.” He has declined to give Wray a public vote of confidence. President Donald Trump has been escalating his rhetoric against Wray, angry over his public statements on issues like antifa, voting fraud and Russian election interference. Oddly, he may be more likely to stay in office if the president who appointed him loses than if he wins. WASHINGTON (AP) - Less than four years into his 10-year term, FBI Director Christopher Wray’s future in the job is decidedly uncertain heading into the presidential election. ![]()
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