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Trump nominated Wray in 2017 after firing James Comey, but he began to sour on him before he left office in 2021. The 10-year term is designed to keep the FBI director position insulated from political whims. “Kash is frightening at the bureau,” one source familiar with internal deliberations about the role of FBI director. Trump also briefly considered installing Patel as deputy FBI director in the closing weeks of his first administration. The deputy FBI director job is a career position, and not a political appointee, and Attorney General William Barr helped talk Trump out of putting Patel at the bureau.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kash Patel, Christopher Wray, Patel, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump, Mike Rogers, Mark Morgan, Jeff Jensen, Louis, Mike Flynn’s, he’s, –, John Ratcliffe, Wray, James Comey, “, Elect Trump, ”, Karoline Leavitt, Vance, Jensen, Rogers, Morgan, “ Kash, ” Patel, Steve Bannon’s, Devin Nunes, Nunes, Gina Haspel, – Patel, William Barr, Wray isn’t, CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN, FBI, Republican, Customs, Trump, intel, DOD, CIA, House, National Security Council Locations: Mar, Lago, Trump’s, Russia

FBI Director Christopher Wray and Donald Trump's team are planning for the possibility that the president-elect will replace Wray during the new administration, three people familiar with the matter told NBC News. Wray, whom Trump appointed in 2017 to a 10-year term, enjoys leading the FBI and had intended to serve out his term, a source said. Wray could resign if he was told Trump wants him gone, as is widely expected. “I assume that’s the best apology that we’ll get from Director Wray, but it is fully accepted!” he wrote. Installing a new FBI director would require confirmation in the Senate, where Republicans will be in the majority starting in January.

Persons: Christopher Wray, Donald Trump's, Wray, Kash Patel, Trump, he's, ”, ” Wray, “, we’ll, Susie Wiles, Tom Homan, Patel, He's, ” Patel, ” Trump, Gina Haspel, White, Steve Bannon, Joe Biden, it’s, we’re Organizations: NBC News, Trump, CIA, FBI, Justice Department, White, Senate, and National Security, National Intelligence, Defense Department

☆ Trump searches for his attorney general as Justice Department officials worry about chaos and retribution
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Evan Perez | Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —From his seaside Florida resort, Donald Trump is holding a casting call to fill the toughest job in Washington: attorney general. Current and former Justice officials anticipate eventual departures in some parts of the department and employees being sidelined and forced out. The Justice Department is also charged with defending administration actions in court, covering issues from health care to the environment to gun control. “Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes,” he wrote in a Twitter post in July 2017. Trump told Fox Business in 2020 that Barr should indict Obama, Biden and others because of the Russia investigation.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Mark Paoletta, they’ll, Trump’s, ” Paoletta, ” JD Vance, Jack Smith, Christopher Wray, James Comey, Wray, Wray “, ”, podcaster Joe Rogan, “, I’ll, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Sally Yates, Yates, Jeff Sessions, Matthew Whitaker, Sessions ’, John Huber, Rod Rosenstein, Sessions, William Barr, Barr, Obama, Biden, Bill Barr indicts, we’ll, ” Trump, ” Barr Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Trump ., Justice, White, ABC, Trump, Employees, FBI, ISIS, Capitol, Biden, “, Sessions, Fox Business, Hoover Institution Locations: Florida, Washington, Manhattan, American, Lago, United States, Alabama, Russia

If Trump Wins, Could He Really Use the Justice Department to Jail His Rivals? One of the most powerful appointees within the Justice Department is the director of the F.B.I., who ordinarily serves a 10-year term. He would be limited to a pool of senior Justice Department employees and Senate-confirmed officials, but still…. Even if Trump has installed loyalists at the top levels of the Justice Department, F.B.I. If the public comes to see the Justice Department as compromised, will witnesses and informants continue to cooperate?

Persons: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Biden, weaponizing, Harris, Trump, Richard Nixon, Christopher Wray, James Comey, …, Joe Biden, —, Peter Keisler, George W, Bush, “, Hillary Clinton, Aileen Cannon, Jack Smith, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Robert Jackson Organizations: Trump, Department, Justice Department, Loyalists, Republicans, Senate, Power, White, Heritage Foundation, Federal, Justice, Prosecutors, Republican, 11th Circuits, Capitol Locations: U.S, Texas, Florida, America

☆ FBI seeking to interview Trump as part of assassination attempt investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Evan Perez | Alayna Treene | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The FBI is seeking to interview former President Donald Trump in its investigation of the assassination attempt to obtain a victim statement — a standard part of the investigation because he is a crime victim, according to a US official. Trump has said he “took a bullet for democracy,” and attacked Wray on Truth Social over his testimony. The hospital called it a ‘bullet wound to the ear,’ and that is what it was. No wonder the once storied FBI has lost the confidence of America!,” Trump posted. “Anyone who believes this conspiracy bullsh*t is either mentally deficient or willfully peddling falsehoods for political reasons,” Trump adviser Steven Cheung told CNN.

Persons: Donald Trump, Christopher Wray’s, there’s, Trump, “, Wray, ” Trump, Steven Cheung, John F, Kennedy, Kimberly Cheatle Organizations: CNN, FBI, Trump, Capitol, Trump’s, Republicans

☆ FBI director says there is 'some question' whether Trump was hit with a bullet or shrapnel
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"I think, with respect to former President Trump, there's some question about whether or not it's a bullet or shrapnel that, you know, hit his ear," Wray said. Jordan followed up, "It's my understanding that the very first one was the one that hit the president. "As I sit here right now, I don't know the answer to that. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, appointed Wray as FBI director in 2017. AdvertisementAdditionally, Diaczuk told BI that it's most likely that it was, in fact, a bullet that hit Trump's ear instead of shrapnel.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Christopher Wray, Trump, Wray, Jim Jordan, Thomas Matthew Crooks, Jordan, Steven Cheung, Peter Diaczuk, John Jay, Diaczuk, it's, Ronny Jackson Organizations: Service, Republican, Committee, Business, New, John, John Jay College of Criminal, Rep Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Ohio

According to the FBI’s analysis of Thomas Matthew Crooks’ laptop, Crooks searched how far Lee Harvey Oswald was when he shot and killed President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The search was on July 6, the same day the Trump rally was announced. “That’s a search that’s obviously significant in terms of his state of mind,” the FBI director added. The drone was in the air for approximately 11 minutes, and investigators believe Crooks watched a live feed from the drone on his phone. The FBI is investigating the shooting as both an attempted assassination and as a potential act of domestic terrorism.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, John F, Kennedy, Christopher Wray, Thomas Matthew Crooks, Crooks, Lee Harvey Oswald, “, Oswald, ’ ” Wray, Butler, ” Shooter, Trump, Wray, ” Wray, Gun, –, Shooter, Iran Wray, Donald Trump, it’s, Soleimani, ”, Schiff, FBI’s, Adam Schiff, ” Schiff Organizations: CNN, Trump, FBI, ”, Service, Democratic Rep, Republican Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Iran, ”, United States

☆ The Justice Department reportedly opened a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines door blowout
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The DoJ opened a criminal investigation into the Boeing 737 blowout, The Wall Street Journal reported. AdvertisementThe Department of Justice has reportedly opened a criminal probe into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a hole in the side of an Alaska Airlines plane in January. Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that DoJ investigators had contacted passengers and crew members who were on the Boeing 737 Max 9. Alaska Airlines said in a statement: "In an event like this, it's normal for the DoJ to be conducting an investigation. However, the NTSB is still unsure about who removed and replaced the door panel, Homendy said Wednesday.

Persons: —, Ed Wray, Jennifer Homendy, Homendy Organizations: DoJ, Boeing, Street Journal, Alaska Airlines, Service, of Justice, Street, Business Insider, Lion Air, Seattle Times, National Transportation Safety, NTSB, Spirit, Aviation Administration, FAA Locations: Portland , Oregon

☆ Trump says it was 'probably' a mistake to have nominated Christopher Wray to led the FBI and blames Chris Christie for recommending him
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In an interview set to air on Sunday, Trump said it was "probably" a mistake to have tapped Wray to lead the FBI. On Fox Business, Trump casts blame on Chris Christie for recommending Wray for the role. Chris Christie for recommending the former US assistant attorney general for the role. "You know, he was recommended very strongly by Chris Christie, who is, you know, a sad case." "I think Chris Wray has done a very good job," the former governor said.

Persons: Trump, Wray, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, Christopher Wray, Maria Bartiromo, James Comey, Bartiromo, Christie, Ron DeSantis, Trump's, Harriet Hageman, Chris Wray, Chris Organizations: FBI, Fox Business, Trump, Service, New, New Jersey Gov, Fox, Republican, Florida Gov, GOP, Republicans, Wyoming GOP, House Republicans Locations: Wall, Silicon, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Trump, Lago

☆ How Trump turned the ‘law and order party’ into an enemy of the FBI
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Trump has pleaded not guilty in the classified documents case and in another prosecution in New York related to a hush money payment to an adult film star. “President Trump endured an unprecedented raid at his home in Mar-a-Lago. (A special counsel is still investigating classified documents found in Biden’s possession, while the Justice Department closed a case on the possible mishandling of documents found at Pence’s Indiana home.) Ron DeSantis and other Republicans have promised a comprehensive gutting of the FBI, Justice Department and other government agencies in response to what they claim is a wholesale effort to stop Trump winning the 2024 election. Some independent investigations looking at the Trump era have found wrongdoing or mistakes in the FBI.

Persons: Donald Trump pulsated, Christopher Wray, –, Wray, Biden, that’s, Wray’s, James Comey, Hillary Clinton, ”, George W, Harriet Hageman, Liz Cheney, Cheney, Jerrold Nadler, Justice Department –, Trump, Hunter Biden, Wesley Hunt, Biden didn’t, Biden’s, ” Hunt, Mike Pence, “, ” Wray, Jim Jordan –, Trump –, ” Jordan, Ron DeSantis, Richard Nixon, Comey, Matt Gaetz, DeSantis, Chris Wray, There’ll, ” DeSantis, Trey Gowdy, J, Edgar Hoover –, John Durham, William Barr, ’, Barr, David Weiss –, “ Weiss, COWARD, Bill Barr, ” Trump, didn’t Organizations: CNN, Republican, Trump, Democrats, FBI, Judiciary, Bush’s, Department, Wyoming Rep, Rep, Justice Department, GOP, Biden, Texas Republican, Pence’s Indiana, The Biden, Florida Gov, Justice, White, NBC, Fox News, DOJ, Committee, Foreign Intelligence, Delaware US Locations: Wyoming, York, New York, Moscow, Florida, Mar, Pence’s, Delaware, Ohio, Rehoboth , Delaware, Trump, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Durham

CNN —House Republicans unloaded a barrage of criticism directed toward FBI Director Christopher Wray Wednesday, outlining a litany of complaints while Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman Jim Jordan opened the hearing launching into a wide array of attacks on the FBI. “House Republicans will attack the FBI for having had the audacity to treat Donald Trump like any other citizen. FBI Director Christopher Wray is sworn in prior to testifying before a House Judiciary Committee hearing. “We did stand up a whole dedicated unit to focus on threats to FBI, individuals, FBI employees and FBI facilities because of the uptick that we saw over that time period,” Wray said.

Persons: Christopher Wray, Wray, Jim Jordan, Hunter Biden, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “, ”, Matt Gaetz, ” Wray, ” Gaetz, Edgar Hoover, Gaetz, Jonathan Ernst, ’ Wray, Trump . Jordan, Jordan, Jerry Nadler, ” Nadler, Saul Loeb, –, John Durham, Biden, Hunter, ” that’s, ” Jordan, Thomas Massie, Massie, Nadler, Jack Smith’s, – Wray Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, FBI, Catholic Church, Florida Republican, Reuters, GOP, Foreign Intelligence, Republican, Trump ., Ohio Republican, Republicans, Trump, DOJ, FISA, “, White, ” New York Rep, ”, Committee, Getty, CNN, US State Department, Biden, White House, Democratic National Committee, Capitol, Trump’s Locations: Richmond, Florida, Washington , DC, Ohio, United States, Russia, Durham, Ukrainian, Louisiana, Kentucky, Lago, Mar

☆ FBI chief Wray defends against US House Republicans' accusations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | Thomson Reuters | Sarah N. Lynch Is The Lead Reporter For Reuters Covering The U.S. Justice Department Out Of Washington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Wray appeared before the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee panel for the first time since former President Donald Trump was indicted for retaining highly classified documents and obstructing justice. Republicans have repeatedly accused the FBI and other federal agencies of "weaponizing" their law enforcement and regulatory powers to silence critics on the right, target political enemies and protect political allies. House Republicans have claimed without evidence that the documents case against Trump is politically motivated. "Absolutely not," replied Wray, a fellow Republican who has increasingly become the target of Republicans' wrath. "The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background," Wray said.

Persons: Chris Way, Hunter Biden, Wray, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Hunter, General Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, Jonathan Ernst, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Terry Doughty, Biden, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Susan Heavey Organizations: Republicans, Republican, House, FBI, House Republicans, Trump, U.S, Federal Bureau of, Capitol, REUTERS, District, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana, Missouri, U.S

☆ FBI Director Christopher Wray, who is a Republican, says it's 'somewhat insane' to suggest he's biased against conservatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed exasperation that House Republicans would think he's biased against conservatives. A more sympathetic GOP lawmaker expressed hope that Wray wouldn't leave the party after a contentious hearing. Wray also began to snap back, at one point expressing shock that anyone would suggest he's biased against conservatives. The onslaught led Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican, to quip that he hoped Wray wouldn't leave the party. The reception illustrates the fury many conservatives hold for the FBI and Wray.

Persons: Christopher Wray, Wray, Wray wouldn't, Joe Biden's, Matt Gaetz, Edgar Hoover, Harriet Hageman, Ken Buck, Buck, Donald Trump, Chris Christie's, General Michael Horowitz, John Durham's, Ron DeSantis, wouldn't, CNN's Jake Tapper Organizations: Republican, Service, Republicans, Florida Republican, Wyoming Republican, Colorado Republican, FBI, Justice Department, New, New Jersey Gov, Florida Gov, CNN, GOP, The Colorado Republican Locations: Wall, Silicon, Florida, Wyoming, Colorado, New Jersey, United States

☆ FBI director boasts that applications are 'up over 100%' in Florida after Matt Gaetz says people trusted the FBI 'more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

FBI Director Christopher Wray bragged about the agency's recruitment when informed of its low popularity. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz claimed the bureau was trusted more under the notorious leadership of J. Edgar Hoover. Gaetz grew agitated with Wray after a series of aggressive questions about Hunter Biden and the FBI's January 6 investigation. "People trusted the FBI more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place than when you are. "I certainly didn't perjure myself," Wray shot back Gaetz, who had accused him of lying to lawmakers.

Persons: Christopher Wray, Matt Gaetz, J, Edgar Hoover, Wray, Gaetz, Hunter Biden, it's, Hoover, Martin Luther King Jr, Wray volleyed, Hunter, Biden, Donald Trump, James Comey Organizations: Republican, Service, FBI, Florida Republican, Democratic, Republicans, Intelligence, Committee Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon

☆ China scoffs at FBI claim that Wuhan lab leak likely caused COVID pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 1 (Reuters) - The FBI has assessed that a leak from a laboratory in the central Chinese city of Wuhan likely caused the COVID pandemic, director Christopher Wray said on Tuesday, a claim China said had "no credibility whatsoever". "The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan," Wray told Fox News. His comments follow a Wall Street Journal report on Sunday that the U.S. Energy Department had assessed with low confidence the pandemic resulted from an unintended lab leak in China. Four other agencies, along with a national intelligence panel, still judge that the pandemic was likely the result of a natural transmission, and two are undecided, the Journal reported. The virus was first identified in Wuhan in December 2019 before spreading round the world and killing nearly 7 million people.

But Wray said the FBI continues to be concerned about Chinese government “talent programs” that sometimes pay American professors through secret relationships. “At the same time, you also stated, as you’ve just done, that this effort isn’t about the Chinese people or Chinese Americans. But of course, Chinese Americans are part of the U.S. society that you believe needs to be mobilized against China. He also returned to talking about Chinese government operations that have targeted Chinese Americans. “We view Chinese Americans here as being with us.

☆ Indonesia set to make sex outside marriage an imprisonable offense
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters —Indonesia’s parliament is expected to pass a new criminal code this month that will penalize sex outside marriage with a punishment of up to one year in jail, officials have confirmed to Reuters. Ed Wray/Getty ImagesDecades in the making, the new criminal code is expected to be passed on December 15, Indonesia’s deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, told Reuters. “We’re proud to have a criminal code that’s in line with Indonesian values,” he told Reuters in an interview. A previous draft of the code was set to be passed in 2019 but sparked nationwide protests. A revised version of the criminal code has been discussed since Indonesia declared its independence from the Netherlands in 1945.

☆ Former FBI official says the FBI is facing a 'crisis of credibility' over questions of how much its senior officials knew leading up to the Capitol riot
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Former FBI assistant director Frank Figliuzzi says the FBI is facing a "crisis of credibility." Figliuzzi said the agency was not being transparent about what it knew about the Capitol riot. During an appearance on MSNBC's "Deadline" on Monday, Figliuzzi said the FBI's most senior leaders are not grasping the "gravity" of the situation. Information is now trickling out about what the FBI's officials knew leading up to the riot, he added. Figliuzzi also referenced FBI Director Christopher Wray's testimony to Congress in June 2021.

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