U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday, hours after FBI Director Christopher Wray announced plans to step down at the end of President Biden's term, calling him a leader who has served the United States with “honor and integrity” for two decades. praised.
In a statement Wednesday, Garland praised Wray's decades-long career as a public servant and U.S. prosecutor, including as an assistant U.S. attorney general and the Department of Justice's Criminal Division.
“Chris Wray has served our country with honor and integrity for decades, including seven years as FBI director under presidents of both parties,” Garland said Wednesday. I wrote it.
Patel 'ready to take over' as FBI director, seeks 'smooth transition' after Wray steps down
President-elect Trump is expected to nominate Kash Patel (right) to replace Christopher Wray as FBI director. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“In an environment of heightened threats, Secretary Wray has worked tirelessly to protect the American people and lead an agency of 38,000 dedicated public servants, many of whom work every day to serve their communities. He is putting his life on the line,” Garland wrote, praising the chief. It is responsible for carrying out the Department of Justice's mission to “keep our nation safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.”
“He has led the FBI's efforts to aggressively confront a wide range of threats facing our nation, from adversaries and domestic and foreign terrorism to violent, cyber, and financial crimes,” Garland said. . “There are few leadership positions more central to keeping the American people safe than the Director of the FBI.”
The statement came shortly after Wray announced his plans to resign Wednesday at FBI City Hall in Washington, D.C., where thousands of FBI employees attended virtually and in person. Immediately after his election victory last month, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Kash Patel to replace Wray, giving Wray the option of resigning or being fired after Trump takes office. Ta.
Patel told Fox News on Wednesday that he wanted a “smooth transition” to replace Wray.
“After several weeks of careful consideration, I have decided that the right thing for the department is to serve until the end of this administration in January and then resign,” Wray told staff at City Hall. “My goal is to remain focused on our mission — the essential work we do every day for the American people. In my opinion, this will take the station deeper into the conflict while reinforcing our values.” It's the best way to avoid getting dragged down,' and it's a very important principle in our work. ”
Who is Kash Patel? Trump's nominee for FBI director has a long history of vowing to take down the “deep state.”
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (File)
In a statement, Garland emphasized his role in protecting the FBI's independence from what the FBI director described as “improper influence in criminal investigations.” …That independence is central to maintaining the rule of law and protecting the freedoms we as Americans have. Dear. “
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“Coach Ray has done his job with integrity and skill,” Garland wrote Wednesday. “He has my gratitude, the gratitude of the FBI agents and employees for whom he has earned the respect and admiration, and the gratitude of the American people.”
