Staff Reports
Christopher Wray has decided that his days as FBI Director are numbered, and he will resign at the end of Joe Biden’s term. After weeks of deep contemplation—one can only imagine the size of the pillow he must have been hugging as he pondered—Wray unveiled his plan during a town hall with FBI employees. He believes that stepping down will keep the FBI out of the partisan bickering that has characterized this administration and preserve the bureau’s “indispensable” work for the American people. Some might call this a strategic retreat, others a surrender, but whatever it is, it’s officially happening.
Wray served in a position that’s typically filled with applause from both sides of the aisle. However, after having been plucked from Trump’s administration post-James Comey, Wray’s tenure has been fraught with controversy. There is no doubt that he’s aware of the looming shadow of an incoming Trump presidency—complete with a newly minted FBI director in mind. His resignation feels less like a well-considered decision and more like a quiet exit stage left as the curtain prepares to fall on this administration.
Christopher Wray has RESIGNED leaving the place for Kash Patelpic.twitter.com/OvmmQeKp2C
— Resist Times (@resistupdates) December 11, 2024
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has already made his feelings known, delivering a resounding vote of no confidence to Wray. In a letter that could rival any political roast, Grassley urged him to skedaddle, reminding Wray and his deputy that it might be time for a life change. The reason? A list of woes under Wray’s leadership, including the infamous armed raid on Mar-a-Lago that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. According to Grassley, there seems to be a haunting absence of sound judgment from the current FBI leadership, and this wasn’t his unkind farewell.
The FBI is supposed to be the bastion of law and order, yet under Wray’s watch, it has been perceived as a weaponized entity with political motives. The argument can be made that the agency’s armed flash mob at Trump’s residence, with agents rifling through Melania’s drawers, raised more questions about Wray’s judgment than any press briefing could settle. When law enforcement sends in armed agents who are “authorized to use lethal force if necessary,” it’s time for some serious soul-searching—and perhaps time to hand over the reins to someone who understands that the FBI isn’t a reality show.
With Trump’s potential return to the White House on the horizon, Wray’s departure signals that it may not be wise to stick around for what could be a very turbulent reunion tour. Perhaps Wray hopes to leave with his dignity intact, or perhaps he simply sees the writing on the wall, knowing that a new administration will likely view him as damaged goods. As the political gears churn and the clock ticks down to January, it looks like Wray will be out—right before the real fun begins.
