The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Christopher Wray, resigned from his post on Wednesday December 11th. This is unexpected and unnecessary since his term wasn’t slated to end until 2027 and this role is not supposed to transition with partisan terms.
Wray, a lifelong Republican, was appointed by Trump in 2017 but has since fallen out of favor with Trump after the FBI assisted with a federal probe into Trump's handling of classified documents. Wray said he will serve until the end of Biden’s term and then leave when Trump takes office in January. He is quoted saying “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.”
Many critics believe that this is not what is best for the FBI or for the country and are very worried about Trump’s current nominee Kash Patel. He’s been labeled a dangerous political hack motivated by witch hunts and has threatened to go after people named on his “enemies list” who he believes are members of the “deep state.” They include reputable public servants like Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Lloyd Austin, Jim Comey, Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder and many others. Basically anyone who does not vow featly to Trump could find their way on his list. Last year Patel told Steve Bannon “We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media, who lied and helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections — we’re going to come after you. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out.”
Ardent Republicans with a history of fealty to Trump say Patel is a bad candidate. Former Attorney General William Barr wrote in his memoir that when Trump considered making Patel the deputy director of the FBI, Barr responded “over my dead body.” In Barr’s book, he noted that Patel “had virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest level of the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency. The very idea of moving Patel into a role like this showed a shocking detachment from reality.”
Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe told CNN “No part of the FBI’s mission is safe with Kash Patel in any position of leadership in the FBI, and certainly not in the deputy director’s job. If you enter into that position with nothing more than a desire to disrupt and destroy the organization, there is a lot of damage someone like Kash Patel could do,”
Patel requires confirmation by the Senate before he can be appointed. In the meantime, FBI deputy director Paul Abbate, a veteran FBI agent, will run the bureau after Wray's departure.
The New Republic FBI Director Caves to Trump’s Dangerous Wishes by Resinging
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce902z8lp81o
Chris Wray Makes It Easy For Trump - The Atlantic
FBI Director Christopher Wray says he will resign at end of Biden's term | AP News
Wray resigning 'undermines' intent that FBI Director is apolitical: Weissmann
SlateWe’ve Seen Kash Patel’s Enemies List. It’s Terrifying
Why Kash Patel shouldn’t (but might) be confirmed as FBI director
36 comments:
I worry feverishly about our country. With every passing day it seems we are getting closer and closer to a dictatorship, and further and further away from the entire point of democracy. An executive branch that is unlikely to be seriously checked by a Congress of the same color, and a Judiciary branch in debt to their appointer, combined with a power-hungry Machiavellian strikes me as far too similar to the 1940s. We are too close to the deep end with this. Threats of violence against those of opposite parties, firing of all those who might disagree, and no one so far doing anything about it is the biggest flag to me that this election might have paved the way for the most corrupt and down right evil 4 years we've ever seen
The director of the FBI being influenced by political pressure and resigning is a concern. Wray was “fallen out of favor” for doing his job as a FBI director and taking actions against Trump that the court authorized, in itself sounds ridiculous to me. I understand that for Wray it was no easy decision to resign after working for 7 years of a 10-year contract. If he had continued to work, he may have been fired the day of the transition or something even worse. However, with Trump already threatening and firing those who disagree, I feel like stepping back from the start was not the right thing to do. As a director, Wray represents the FBI, the top-class national security organization. Wray’s action is almost like approving Trump’s undemocratic power; pressuring people to resign when a new president is elected, and letting him pick whoever is loyal (to let the president do whatever they want to do). I believe that the Senate confirmation is the last resort, in which they should look at this situation solely on whether Patel’s experience and knowledge qualifies as an FBI director.
"I agree with your concerns about Wray’s resignation and the dangerous precedent it sets, but I wonder if his choice also reveals the limitations of leadership in such a polarized environment. By stepping down, Wray may have believed he was preserving the FBI’s independence in the short term, but it also arguably cedes ground to Trump’s agenda and undermines the principle of apolitical governance.
That said, the bigger issue may not be Wray’s resignation itself, but the increasing expectation that public servants must align with political agendas to survive. Patel’s nomination is a clear test of how far partisanship can erode the standards for key positions. Beyond Senate confirmation, I think we need structural reforms to insulate institutions like the FBI from overt political influence—perhaps stronger protections for nonpartisan roles or limitations on dismissals without clear cause.
It is disquieting that Kash Patel's enemies list is so blatantly partisan. He wears his political motivations on his sleeve, which gives me some concern for what he wants to do that he ISN'T sharing. Trump's nomination of Patel is very concerning, as other commenters have said, however there is a nonzero chance that the Senate votes against him. The fact that even some pro-Trump Republicans are publicly against Patel is enough of a negative response that the Senate could believably go against confirming his appointment. This isn't to say we are in the clear, as his nomination in the first place is worrying, but he hasn't been instated yet.
I dont think resigning after 7 years from a 10 year contract was no easy decision. So the fact that Wray followed through must have meant he knew something serious was going to happen to him when Trump got back into office. But I feel like stepping back from the job is exactly what Trump wants, now Trump can nominate who ever he wants (In this case Patel) because he has to fill the gap in the FBI. This is very worrying especially with the way Trump has been nominating people like David Sacks and others that will listen to Trump
Those are some bold claims coming from Patel. I don't know how you can immediately make yourself a political opponent of even the strongest Republican supporters, but Patel has really hit the mark with that one. I doubt Patel's statement to chase after those on his and Trump's enemies list will ever bring success; after all, the FBI's power has significantly decreased since the mid 20th century, especially after the passing of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 1966 which requires the FBI to hand over nearly all of its documents. And given that the FBI derives most of its power from the vast amount of information it collects and records, it's no longer as big of a threat to the average U.S. citizen. Still, what Trump is doing with his nomination for Patel is alarming and definitely not a good sign of a healthy democracy--just imagine being threatened by government for personal reasons unrelated to running a government. Patel is yet to be confirmed by the Senate, though, so that leaves some hope for re-harmonizing both the FBI and U.S. government. We can only hope for the best.
The way I see it is that Wray stepping down is yet another example of how Trump is disregarding the fundamental processes of American democracy. Even though Wray was giving up his remaining 3 years voluntarily, he should be serving a full 10, and it is likely that Trump and his administration have something to do with it. It is not ok that Trump is allowed to mess with the practices of appointees and term limits that have been in place for decades and I think with Patel's nomination, more of the country is starting to see that. The fact that things that Patel is saying are upsetting people all around, even pro-Turmp republicans, means that it is possible that a different government practice can be implemented. Hopefully, the senate will still be able to express their views when confirming (or not confirming) Patel, and Trump will not disrupt that process as well.
Patel leading such a significant and important agency raises a lot of concerns and questions for our country, considering Patel's political ties and his many controversial statements. Wray's resignation is worrying, as it could be a step towards leaving the FBI vulnerable to more dangerous political issues. His continuous targeting of political "enemies" of Trump is extremely problematic and also underscores public opinion and trust towards the FBI, a crucial agency apart of our country. Patel's lack of experience is also worrying as he may not be able to handle the challenges that this position holds. A leader that holds stability is the most important thing and the last thing the country needs is more divide.
Everyday, it seems the country falls more and more toward dictatorship and away from democracy. Trump continues to elect idiots to his staff who will blindly follow his will. It his quite sad to see Wray retire, as he is continuing the example and letting Trump have his white house. This is essentially removing the checks and balance of government, as loyalty to the president is starting to override qualifications. I would have preferred if Wray stayed, and fought against Trump, holding the integrity of the FBI. It would convince others to stand up against the president as well. The FBI was supposed to operate above partisan conflict, however with Kash elected, with his strong and foolish rhetoric and judgement, might weaponize the FBI. It his disheartening the senate will approve this pick, however, another reason I feel we are moving to dictatorship, is that the senate, who should be a check and balance of the executive branch, will be bullied into approving this pick. The right wing republicans and president will bully and blackmail the senate to approve this pick, even though he is clearly an awful pick that will be loyal to Trump over all else. It is just sad to see where there is country is heading.
While it is extremely rare for congress to reject a Presidential appointment, I believe we will witness at least one if not a few rejections in 2025. This is just one more example of Trump threatening to put an unqualified and extremely biased person in charge, that defies principles of democracy and of a functional government. A person like Patel running an organization as powerful as the FBI can have detrimental effects for the future of this country. I truly hope Congress will use their right to reject presidential appointments, in an attempt to mitigate the effects that Trump's presidency will inevitably have in almost every area of the country.
The 10 year term of the FBI director position was meant to reduce the impact of partisanship and allow the FBI to maintain independence and impartiality, and this move seems like Wray is just handing everything over to Trump. That said, I read on the New York Times that this is actually a strategic move. According to the Vacancies Reform Act, this will force Trump to go through the Senate confirmation when filling Wray's spot, so at the very least, Trump cannot bypass the confirmation process and appoint Patel through recess appointments. However, even if this was a strategic move on Wray's part, I don't think it will do much, as Patel has high amounts of support, and none of the Republican members will want to go against Trump.
This is yet another scary part of America's timeline that gets weirder by the day. I wonder why Wray actually decided to retire, whether it was out of exhaustion and really thought this was the best course of action or if he simply just didn't want to deal with Trump and the FBI. His wording of the "values and principles" of how the FBI operates seems extremely vague and doesn't give any real insight into his thought process. I desperately hope that the Senate sees some reason and doesn't confirm Patel because a big brother state where anybody who opposes Trump is marked as an "enemy" is pretty dystopian...
In my opinion, Christopher Reyes's resignation as FBI director is pretty concerning, especially since his role isn't supposed to be influenced or changed by politics. Now, Trump is pushing to replace him with Kash Patel, someone with no qualifications. Patel even openly threatened to Target Trump and even his political enemies.n people who are former Trump supporters have literally called Patel not fit and possibly dangerous for the FBI soo why is he here?. If Patel is confirmed, It seems like this could damage the FBI's mission to help and undermine the trust in our country's justice system.
I see this as the start of an authoritarian regime. Even though Trump has the power to fire Wray without cause (since he first appointed him), just because he helped in questioning Trump's power, he was seen as an "enemy." Although, I think his decision of backing off was not the right one. When people try to avoid conflict, or staying neutral, they in fact do take a stance, and so by being a bystander, it only helps Trumps power. If Patel is approved by the Senate and is appointed head of the FBI, it could mean the hunting of Trump's political enemies or worse.
This post highlights just how dangerous Kash Patel’s potential rise to power is, and I couldn’t agree more. Wray’s resignation, while somewhat predictable given the political climate, really leaves the FBI in a vulnerable position. Patel is a political hack with zero qualifications for such a critical role, and his past rhetoric—threatening to go after anyone he deems an “enemy” of Trump—is downright scary. The idea that someone so openly committed to partisan witch hunts could lead the FBI is terrifying. The Senate absolutely cannot let this happen. The FBI’s independence is crucial to justice in this country, and Patel would destroy that.
The fact that Christopher Wray resigned with two years left on his term is incredibly concerning. His decision leaves the FBI vulnerable at a time when its independence is already under attack. Wray’s statement about avoiding dragging the FBI into politics is ironic because his resignation might do the exact opposite. By stepping down before the end of his term, he’s essentially leaving the door wide open for Trump to install Kash Patel, who has repeatedly shown he’s more interested in loyalty tests and revenge politics than actual law enforcement.This is someone who has openly talked about using the FBI to go after political enemies—a move straight out of an authoritarian playbook. Even Trump allies like William Barr think Patel is unqualified and dangerous, which says a lot. If someone like Patel takes over, it will damage the FBI's stability and credibility, and could drag the nation down as a result.
Though it is not Wray's fault, the precedent that Trump is setting by making sure each and every branch of the government aligns with him by any means necessary, even means of intimidation and threatening to fire as he pleases, is terrible for this county. As it attempts undermine all the checks and balances that this country has set in place as well as the integrity of the Democracy we have put in place. As well as this stepping down shows even further that Kash Patel will have to be truly a loyalist towards Trump if confirmed, as it was not coincident that Wray stepped down in the timing that he did. Thus proving that not only is this him putting people that he agrees with in power, more like he is specifically putting people that will do as he wants in power which defeats the point of our democracy in some ways.
Having the director of the FBI step down is certainly something new, and certainly raises a ton of red flags. For one having a director of FBI step down due to political reasons is heinous. I believe it has only happened once before, which was in the midst of one of americas greatest scandals, Watergate. Secondly the prospect for who could potentially be appointed, Kash Patel, has had minimal law enforcement experience. In what world would you make someone with little law enforcement experience the head of the FBI? He is simply a Trump loyalist and will follow his orders blindly. Making him the perfect candidate.
Trump being elected as president has horrible implications for the future of America but with this news, it isn't looking great. This new director is definitely not fit for the role as he is directly targeting a set of people that shouldn't be. Even political scientists are saying that Patel isn't somebody that should be taking this role. All we can hope at this moment is that the Senate does not allow Patel to take over such a powerful institution.
The fact that Trump was so quick to make an enemy of Wray as soon as he started investigating him, which is his job, is scary. It's almost like he doesn't care as much about the function of the government as he does about himself. Also Patel saying he's going after "conspirators" who rigged the 2020 election for Biden is so backwards and ironic and ridiculous. It'd be funny if it weren't so concerning. It's crazy that Trump managed to convince so many voters that he won the 2020 election when it's literally not true. I just hope that second term doesn't lead to a dictatorship, god bless.
I think that it is pretty clear that Wray backed out of his position out of fear. Donald Trump has openly stated that he's going after his political enemies and since Wray was involved with looking into Donald Trump, and investigating him it will not be that surprising if Donald Trump went after him. While I don't know how backing out of his current position would help him be less susceptible to attacks from Donald Trump, I do believe that his reasons for resigning were obvious. Him resigning only gave Trump more power however as Trump is now able to appoint his own nominee in place of Wray, that is much more loyal to Trump.
The fact that Republicans and former Trump followers are disproving of Trump's choice for Kash Patel says enough. Trump is driving away anyone who has a smidge of disliking or the confidence to speak out against him. Trump is stacking the government with underqualified and corrupt people who will stand by his side through no matter what (in fear of course). Christopher Wray is leaving years before the end of his time as the FBI director, and I think this could've been due to some threatening words from the Trump administration. Kash Patel is joining the right administration that isn't afraid to threaten their political opponents, as he is already planning to attack Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. This is a scary thought that the FBI will be under control of Trump and Patel, the extent of corruption in unpredictable with this duo.
The job that Kash Patel would hold as the director of the FBI is a powerful position. It is also a job that I assume requires outlining the priorities of the FBI and keeping American secrets confidential. If Patel is as unqualified as experts are saying then the US should be concerned. An interesting aspect of that is how other countries view the US's security as Patel wants to investigate betrayal/election fraud in the same government he works for. If Patel does become Director of the FBI he could be in the position for as long as 10 years, which may be a challenge if we have a democrat president after Trump's term. It will be interesting to see who ends up with the FBI director position as well as the other controversial nominees Trump has thrown out.
The situation with Wray stepping down and Trump potentially nominating Kash Patel for FBI Director is really troubling. Wray resigning with two years left in his term seems like a major red flag. While he said he didn’t want to drag the FBI into politics, his departure basically opens the door for Trump to put someone loyal to him in charge, and Patel fits that bill. Patel’s history of partisan rhetoric and lack of experience in law enforcement make him a questionable choice for such an important role. The fact that he’s talked about going after political 'enemies' shows he might prioritize loyalty over the FBI's mission to remain impartial. Even some of Trump’s allies, like former Attorney General William Barr, have raised concerns about Patel’s qualifications. The Senate is now in a challenging spot where they must decide whether to approve Patel, which could compromise the FBI's independence, or reject him to preserve the integrity of the institution. Hopefully, they'll takes a close, unbiased look at this nomination before making a final decision.
The fact that Wray is resigning in his own favor demonstrates how irrational Trump can be. As seen with his job appointments and nominations, he seems to like those who are loyal and supportive of him. It looks like his is trying to set up the government with his supporters so that his political agenda can proceed smoothly. I guess Wray's fumble with Trump's documents was enough for him to be 'disloyal' to Trump and was seen as unfit for the job. However, the new nominee, Patel looks to be far worse. He fully supports Trump and would probably listen to whatever request Trump wants. As many others have said, it is troubling to what he could do as director of FBI, an important position in the government.
Wray’s resignation raises a lot of questions about the politicization of the FBI since it was way before his term was scheduled to end. In order to avoid conflict he steps down which is also related to the ongoing investigations with Trump. I think that Wray stepping down after Biden’s term and before Trump’s term is notable and shows the effort of him trying to depoliticize his departure. I think the way he felt the need to leave before his term ended shows how deeply political considerations have affected the FBI. Patel is looked at as a political figure who is more interested in pursuing retribution against his enemies instead of trying to uphold the rule of law. This shows the potential shift in the FBI’s mission that went from primarily law enforcement to political warfare.
I think that Wray's decision to resign now, of all times, is quite an interesting choice. As you have stated in the article, Wray said that he wanted to avoid the bureau being dragged further into the mess of politics that our government is soon to be. By resigning, he is now allowing Trump to nominate his own person for the job, which is a much worse turnout if his reasoning is truly just to avoid conflict. I actually think that this was a very unwise decision for Wray to make, as the new nominee, Patel, would be a threat to American democracy as we know it. The point of the FBI is not to abuse power so that the president can prosecute political enemies, it is to help the United States stay safe. If this is allowed to happen, the FBI will be doing the complete opposite of its job.
Christopher Wray's resignation is truly surprising as it was supposed to end until 2027 during Trump’s second term. This raises a lot of questions about the independence of the FBI and the risks of partisan influence over the nation’s most crucial law enforcement agencies. Kash Patel is known for his extreme loyalty towards Trump, which is very dangerous for the future of the FBI. Loyalty to a person cannot interfere with a job that includes investigating crimes and helping people in the process. Kash Patel also has a track record of attacking and firing people who disagree with him or people who he’s loyal to. Which again makes it very dangerous for the FBI and the nation. Former Attorney General William Barr’s opposition to past FBI officials should be taken into account and taken very seriously. The Senate needs to do a good job in analyzing Patel’s past actions and make a decision based on that. A priority for the FBI is finding an unbiased leader who will lead the FBI forward into people trusting them to keep them safe.
It is deeply disturbing that Christopher Wray resigned from his position as FBI Director, with two years remaining in his term. He cited his reason for leaving as to not politicize the FBI, but in reality, he allows Trump to install someone like Kash Patel, who has no experience in law enforcement and whose rhetoric is replete with partisan vitriol. Patel's public threats against political 'enemies' and his loyalty to Trump risk undermining the independence of the the FBI. The Senate now faces a critical decision: approve Patel and risk compromising the FBI’s impartiality, or reject the nomination to uphold the institution’s integrity. This moment could shape the future of American democracy.
Wray’s unexpected resignation is surprising, given that his term was supposed to end in 2027, and it’s interesting how this kind of mirrors his own appointment by Trump back in 2017. As noted, this opens the door for yet another one of Trump’s controversial picks, Kash Patel, raising concerns about the political implications for the FBI. Such a transition could lead to significant disruptions within the bureau, as Patel’s divisive rhetoric and lack of experience might hinder its functionality. The process is unlikely to be as smooth as Patel or Trump, given the mounting opposition and the potential for widespread distrust in the FBI’s leadership.
Christopher Wray’s resignation and the nomination of Kash Patel is simply concerning, especially about the direction our government is heading in with Trump newly elected. The historically independent and non-partisan institution of the FBI could lose its neutrality if someone like Patel, with his clear loyalist views, takes the role. Seeing loyalty take precedence over actual law enforcement and experience is just unreasonable, where the FBI would only fill the role of shifting the political agenda in the president's favor. This can lead to a dangerous abuse of executive power, where government agencies can be used as a method to generate political power, rather than serving the objectives they are tasked with. That’s something we should all be worried about because if Americans lose faith in agencies that are supposed to protect them, it destabilizes the entire system. I think it's important to maintain measures to prevent politics from seeping into positions such as the FBI, where law enforcement should be paramount. I think the long-term consequences of having a future where figures in power abuse this system could be much worse than it is now.
I think this is a pretty concerning development for the FBI. Christopher Wray’s resignation before the end of his term might set a worrying precedent for partisan influence over an institution that is actually meant to act independently on political agendas. The intention that he stated to minimize political politicization is somewhat understandable I guess but it is still disappointing to see such an important role vacated under these circumstances. The possible nomination of Kashmir Patel raises a lot of understandable concern as he has public comments about targeting people on an enemy list. The FBI’s mission is to protect and serve the American people and to ensure the rule of law is always upheld, not to allow politicians to take advantage of their powers.
It was just a few days ago in which I wrote a comment on how Kash Patel becoming the FBI director would only spell trouble for America. He has previously talked about overhauling the entire FBI, and has been proven to be heavily disqualified for the role, a Trump loyalist, even creating childrens' book, believing that the Deep State is ruining America. Yet, he only gets closer to gaining one of the most powerful positions in America, only serving to lower the trust that people have in this future administration.
Wray’s actions seem contradictory to his disapproval of Patel. I understand that quitting his job at the FBI is a form of boycotting Trump, however, in this case if he really wanted to boycott Trump, he would stay and oppose Trump. He wouldn’t give Patel 2 more years knowing the dangers Patel may bring. Many department secretaries are loyal to their department and may not support the president’s agenda, and this could be the case for Wray. By quitting, he is helping Trump rather than opposing him. What if Trump continues to go down his felon path and Wray is not there to stop him? Instead Patel is there to help clean up Trump’s mess?
It's crazy to me that highly specialized positions that are meant to be filled with senior staffers in that area, have started becoming more and more like what the presidency has come to. Although historically the president has been chosen both because of their vision for the country and their high aptitude for the role, with Donald Trump, he was elected simply because of his vision. Although this does deal damage as he tries to do things that just don’t work, it is checked by being advised by very knowledgeable people. However, he is just turning the government into a fantasy, completely disconnected from any actual evidence and analysis.
Post a Comment