FBI Director to step down at the end of Biden’s term

Christopher Wray told FBI staff on Wednesday that he would be stepping down from his position in January at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in office. The decision was the result of weeks of careful thought, according to Wray’s prepared remarks, which were provided to WORLD by the FBI. Leaving helps the focus on remain on the FBI’s mission of serving the American people, he said. Last month, President-elect Donald Trump told the world he was nominating Kashyap Patel to be the bureau’s new director.

Did Wray give any final comments to the bureau in his resignation statement? Wray said that the FBI’s independence, commitment to objectivity, and adherence to the rule of law could not go away. The bureau must continue to always do the right thing, Wray said.

Dig deeper: Read Emma Freire’s report in the WORLD archives about the FBI’s evolution into a political weapon since 9/11.