Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Christopher Wray

Three months after Trump fired Comey, the FBI has a new boss

Senators voted 92-5 to confirm Christopher Wray. He assumes charge at a difficult time for the FBI.

THE US SENATE has overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI, three months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor James Comey.

The high-flying criminal lawyer was an uncontroversial choice for the post, winning widespread bipartisan backing after telling politicians he would rather resign than bow to political interference.

Senators voted 92-5 to confirm him yesterday.

He assumes charge at a difficult time for the FBI.

Comey’s sacking had led to accusations Trump was attempting to impede an investigation into links between his aides and Russia during last year’s presidential election, which led to the appointment of independent prosecutor Robert Mueller as a special counsel.

Wray Confirmation Hearing Christopher Wray is sworn-in to testify on his nomination to be Director of the FBI. DPA / PA Images DPA / PA Images / PA Images

Wray’s first challenge will likely be to reassure the bureau’s more than 30,000 employees of his commitment to their independence, after insisting to lawmakers he would be his own man.

“You can’t do a job like this without being prepared to either quit or be fired at a moment’s notice you’re asked to do something or confronted with something that is either illegal, unconstitutional or even morally repugnant,” he told the Senate Judiciary Committee last month.

You have to be able to stand firm to your principles.

Born into a family of New York lawyers, Wray, 50, graduated from Yale Law School and was a Justice Department prosecutor for years.

U.S.-WASHINGTON D.C.-FBI-FORMER DIRECTOR-JAMES COMEY-HEARING Former FBI Director James Comey. Xinhua News Agency / PA Images Xinhua News Agency / PA Images / PA Images

In 2003, he rose up to assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division, where he mostly oversaw fraud investigations, including the huge case of Enron, the Texas energy firm that imploded with billions of dollars of losses tied to corruption.

In 2005, he resigned to join private practice as a partner at the King & Spalding law firm in Washington and Atlanta.

Wray has represented major companies in litigation but also, most recently, worked for Trump ally Chris Christie in the so-called ‘Bridgegate’ political scandal in New Jersey.

FBI chiefs have alternately bolstered and made life miserable for presidents over decades. In the 1990s, Bill Clinton’s eight years in office were plagued by investigations led by Louis Freeh, whom he personally chose to run the agency.

- © AFP, 2017

Read: 85-year-old who boasted of being ‘America’s toughest sheriff’ found guilty of federal crime >

Read: US Coast Guard won’t ‘break faith’ with transgender members >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
6
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.