Hours After Grassley’s Scathing Letter, FBI Director Set to Resign: Report
The departure of FBI Director Christopher Wray seemed inevitable.
Although Wray has three years left in his 10-year term, his role ultimately depends on the president's discretion. Replacing the controversial James Comey, Wray struggled to restore trust in the bureau, often aligning himself with what some describe as “deep state” figures—bureaucrats who prioritize their influence over the democratic will of the people.
Now, reports suggest Wray is preparing to leave, and his exit may come sooner rather than later.
According to the Washington Times, “He’s going to be gone at the inauguration — on or before the inauguration,” a source disclosed.
The decision follows two significant developments: former President Donald Trump nominating Kash Patel as the next FBI director and a blistering 11-page letter from incoming Senate Judiciary Chair Sen. Chuck Grassley. Wray’s resignation appears to be a preemptive move to avoid being fired by Trump.
“Mr. Wray is calling it quits because he doesn’t want to get fired by President-elect Donald Trump,” The Washington Times reported, citing sources within the bureau.
Upon Wray’s departure, Deputy Director Paul Abbate is expected to step in as acting director until a permanent replacement is confirmed. Patel’s nomination, however, is anticipated to face a tough Senate confirmation process.
Grassley’s letter to Wray laid bare the Republican Party’s dissatisfaction with the director’s leadership during his tenure, pointing to numerous alleged “failures.”
“The Senate confirmed you to your current position in hopes you’d bring needed change to the FBI after the politicization and scandal presided over by your predecessor, Director James Comey,” Grassley wrote.
He added, “These included foremost the prompt and thorough compliance with congressional oversight requests and the protection of whistleblowers, whom I’ve spent my career defending. As we stand at the threshold of a new Congress and a new administration, with seven years of water under the bridge, you’ve failed in these fundamental duties as director.”
Grassley accused Wray of perpetuating the same “weaponization” and “double standards” that plagued the bureau under Comey. This included authorizing the controversial 2022 raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where 30 armed FBI agents were instructed to “use lethal force if needed.”
“This raid occurred despite serious questions about the need for it. President Trump apparently was cooperating with the investigation,” Grassley noted. By contrast, Hillary Clinton faced no such raid, despite “mishandling highly classified information.”
Grassley also criticized the FBI for being an “accomplice to the Democrats’ false information campaign” to undermine Republican investigations into alleged Biden family corruption. He cited a 2020 briefing requested by Democratic leaders, which he claimed was intended to “falsely label our investigation as Russian disinformation.”
Additionally, Grassley pointed to other shortcomings under Wray’s leadership, including failure to vet Afghan nationals admitted to the U.S., inadequate response to allegations of Biden family bribery, and ignoring whistleblower disclosures.
“Your and Deputy Director Abbate’s failure to take control of the FBI has hindered my work and others’ work throughout multiple Congresses,” Grassley wrote, asserting that Wray’s tenure prevented vital truths from reaching the American people.
In response, the FBI released a statement defending its record, claiming, “The FBI has repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to responding to Congressional oversight and being transparent with the American people. Director Wray and Deputy Director Abbate remain committed to sharing information about the continuously evolving threat environment facing our nation and the extraordinary work of the FBI.”
For now, the FBI leadership faces a moment of transition. Whether Kash Patel succeeds in “cleaning house” remains to be seen. As for Wray, his resignation marks the end of a tenure mired in controversy and criticism.