Last Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray surprised the nation. by announcing He announced that he would resign on January 20, when President Biden's term ends. Ray's 10-year term was scheduled to end in 2027.
Wray was appointed in 2017 during President-elect Trump's first stay in the White House. He took over the FBI job after Trump fired James Comey.
Comey was fired because of Trump. I was upset It said it had not yet concluded its investigation into whether the Russian government colluded with Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. It seems that Ray was awaiting a similar fate.
December 1st, President Trump announces “We intended to shorten FBI Director Christopher Wray's term and select Kash Patel to lead the agency that the president-elect had often criticized during his campaign,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-S.C.) at the time. Texas) predicted “Wray will either resign or Trump will fire him. “It's no secret to anyone, including Chris Wray, that he has no intention of continuing to serve as FBI director under Donald Trump. do not have.”
Cruz was right. If the next president tries to use the FBI to harass and prosecute political opponents, Mr. Wray will be powerless to resist.
as a new yorker says beverly gageif Trump has his way, “the bureau could be politicized in ways that even its infamous first director (J. Edgar Hoover) would have rejected.” “For all his many shortcomings and abuses of power,” Gage writes, Hoover “was nevertheless an institution builder. He believed in the FBI's nonpartisan independence. ”
Kash Patel, Trump is not like that. I want to become the director.
“Hoover often described the bureau as 'a bulwark' against the hidden left-wing conspiracies that pervaded every corner of American life,” Gage observes. In Patel's world, the FBI is the conspiracy. ”
That's one reason why Ray's decision is so unfortunate and dangerous.
It's a capitulation to President Trump's wishes. convene all federal agenciesincluding the FBI, to heel them and turn them into a personal fiefdom catering to his every desire. Historian Ruth Ben Guiat memo People like Mr. Trump “want to exercise a form of governance known as 'personalist governance.'” Government institutions are organized around the self-preservation of leaders whose private interests take precedence over the national interest. ”
Additionally, Gage argues that Trump's attack on Wray violated “long-standing norms that distinguish FBI directors from other presidential candidates.” They are considered more independent and less subject to pressure from the White House because they may have to investigate the administration itself. ”
Ray's resignation send message For federal officials who are worried they will be targeted after January 20th. Let's escape while the situation is still good.
like me, Benjamin Witts' troubles Wray's resignation is a signal “to workers and the American people of our leader's willingness to throw himself in front of a wrecking ball to protect the core institutions of our democracy,” he said. Ray's actions show that for others, it may be best to “exit quietly, muttering clichés while the wrecking ball roars past.”
Chris Ray is “We're throwing in the towel because President Trump wants us to.” That's exactly the reaction authoritarian leaders want.. Their playbook recommends purging anyone who gets in their way. However, it is better for opponents, even strong ones, to purge themselves.
Trump's reaction to that will show how well Wray's resignation fits into that plan. Barely suppressed joy. playing cards I posted the following on Truth Social: “Christopher Wray's resignation is a great day for the United States because it brings an end to the weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Fraud. We don't know what happened to him… The FBI, under the leadership of Christopher Wray, has illegally searched my home for no reason, worked hard to illegally impeach and prosecute me, and done everything else to sabotage my success and future. America's…
President Trump continued, “As you all know, I have a lot of respect for the rank and file of the FBI, and they have a lot of respect for me, and they, like me, are making these changes little by little.'' I look forward to seeing Kash Patel's confirmation so we can begin the process of making the FBI great again.”
Who was President Trump thanking? Maybe Ray himself? I think so. But I don't think anyone interested in preserving democracy and the rule of law in this country should share such gratitude for Ray's accomplishments.
Of course, Ray He is not the first person to face a fight-or-flight choice when dealing with an authoritarian leader.. And the choice is never easy.
But he should have stayed as long as possible and tried to maintain the rule of law. That's exactly what Ray wants from his FBI subordinates.
he called to them To fulfill our duty to “…keep Americans safe and…defend the Constitution.” That “doesn't change,” he said. And what should and should never change is our commitment to always do the right thing, the right way. ” Ray spoke of what he called “a solid foundation that has stood the test of time and cannot be easily moved.” And it's you, the men and women of the FBI, who will ensure the continued existence and success of the Bureau into the future. ”
Finally, when he informed his colleagues of his decision to resign, he said without irony: … One of the FBI's great strengths is that even though we are a team separated by states, oceans, and time zones, we work together to support the FBI's mission. ”
Ray's resignation gives lie to that “common commitment” and “all for one, one for all” spirit. Wittes argues that “as long as there is an investigation to supervise, conduct, and protect, and as long as all such people are present,” staying would have been proven. [FBI’s] In cafeterias, halls, file rooms, field offices, etc… [that] “Take a solid layer of insulation from what's coming.” He'll be that insulation until he's kicked out of the building. ”
Wray's choice was to “preemptively comply, avoid embarrassment, roll out the red carpet for Kash Patel, make what Trump is doing look orderly, and lead the federal government's lead organization.” The goal was to make the purge of experts from “Take Arms Against the American People'' seem less dissimilar. ”
Political scientist Tom Damme writes about the meaning of resignation like Ray suggest Those considering retirement face what Damm calls a “trial of honor.” When you actually quit, it's like “passing away in peace.”
I understand why Ray resigned, but I don't think he passed that test of honor. Still, I hope his resignation brings him some kind of peace. But I fear that what he has done will lead to a path other than peace for the colleagues he leaves behind and for the American people.
austin surrattWilliam Nelson Cromwell is a professor of law and political science at Amherst College. His views do not necessarily reflect those of Amherst College.
