FBI Director announces his resignation

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year and before the end of his 10-year-term.

President-elect Trump had named Kash Patel to be Christopher Wray’s replacement even before Wray announced he would be stepping down.

Wray says he made this decision for the good of the FBI.

“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,” said Wray.

At an FBI town hall Wray announced he would resign before President-elect Trump takes office.

“I love this place. I love our mission. And I love our people,” said Wray.

On Truth Social, President-elect Trump called it “a great day for America,” accusing Christopher Wray of “weaponization” of the FBI.

Trump nominated Wray to lead the FBI in 2017 but indicated in the Truth Social post he was unhappy with Wray, accusing the FBI of illegally raiding his Mar-a-Lago estate, when they executed a search warrant in 2022.

President-elect Trump had already tapped loyalist Kash Patel to lead the FBI 11 days before Wray resigned.

“I think it’ll be a loss. I think he’s done a good job,” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

Senate Republicans and Democrats say they respect Wray, but Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says Wray stepping down was the right move because he lost President-elect Trump’s confidence.

“It was the wise thing to do,” said Kennedy.

Kash Patel has already been on Capitol Hill trying to earn support from Senate Republicans.

The Senate will have to vote to confirm him before he can take over as the director of the FBI.