Former FBI Director Christopher Wray said he resigned because it was clear President-elect Trump was “going to make a difference” at the FBI.
“I have to say that my decision to retire from the FBI was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make,” Wray said of his retirement from CBS' “60 Minutes.” said in an interview. “I care deeply about the FBI, our mission, and especially our people.”
“But the president-elect has made it clear that he intends to make changes, and the law says he can make changes for any reason or no reason at all.”
Wray announced last month that he was resigning after President Trump appeared to be planning to remove him from office.
President Trump nominated Kash Patel, a staunch ally, to head the FBI, a signal to Wray that he would soon be fired. Patel must be confirmed by the Senate to take over the bureau.
The president-elect nominated Wray to lead the agency in 2017, and he was expected to serve until his term ends in 2027.
In an interview that aired on Sunday, Ray spoke further about his thoughts behind his resignation.
“My conclusion was that the best thing for the bureau was to try to do this in an orderly manner so as not to plunge the FBI deeper into the fray,” he said.
Wray has become one of Trump's enemies ever since the FBI secured a warrant to search Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate after Trump failed to return classified documents from his presidency.
After Wray announced he was resigning, Trump celebrated the decision, calling it “a great day for America.”
Ray said he's used to people having opinions about him. A lifelong conservative Republican, he said he is a “tough law enforcement professional” who takes threats against the FBI and its employees seriously.
“They approach their work with a rigor, tenacity, professionalism and objectivity that I think is unparalleled. It was an honor,” he said.
Democrats expressed disappointment with Wray's decision, arguing it would allow Trump to accelerate changes at the agency and escape responsibility for his possible firing.
Trump's nomination of Patel as his successor has been controversial, with concerns raised over his comments about retaliation against Trump's enemies.
Wray said Sunday that he would not consider Trump's cabinet appointments.
“Facts and the law, not politics or partisan preferences, drive investigations,” he said of the FBI.
