WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House on Monday announced the appointment of a veteran FBI agent to the FBI after the official who was expected to serve as FBI director on an interim basis following the resignation of Christopher Wray retired for the first time in nearly 30 years. Appointed acting director.
Brian Driscoll has been nominated to head the FBI pending Senate confirmation of President Donald Trump's nominee for director, Kash Patel. The move came hours after Paul Abbate, who had represented Mr. Ray for the past four years and was set to become acting director, announced his resignation in an email to colleagues.
“When the Director asked me to stay on briefly past my duty date, I did so to ensure continuity and the best possible transition for the FBI. Now, with new leadership in place, almost After four years as a deputy, I'm saying this: Today, I'm leaving the FBI,'' Abate wrote in an email obtained by The Associated Press.
Mr. Abate's sudden resignation after a 28-year career with the FBI marks yet another transition for a law enforcement agency that was already bracing for chaos if Mr. Patel is confirmed. Patel, a Trump supporter, has repeatedly criticized the FBI's leadership and decision-making and has alarmed Democrats with comments suggesting she is prepared to use the agency to retaliate against Trump's opponents. Ta.
Mr. Abate's email did not specify who his successor would be, but the White House had added Mr. Driscoll to a list of officials to lead the agency on an acting basis. Mr. Driscoll was named special agent in charge of the Newark field office by Mr. Wray last week and previously served as commander of the FBI's hostage rescue team.
Ray's last day was Sunday, when Abate became acting manager, but he only stayed in that role for one day.
During his nearly 30-year career with the FBI, Mr. Abate held a variety of leadership roles, including field office chief in Detroit and Washington and executive assistant director of the Detective, Cyber, Response, and Services divisions. He was appointed deputy director in 2021, the FBI's No. 2 position in charge of investigative activities.
“As we move forward, please stay true to our core values, stand by our partners, and care for the people we serve with. Thank you for your hard work,” Abbate wrote.
Wray was appointed during President Trump's first term and served as secretary for more than seven years. Wray announced his retirement last month, more than a week after President Trump said he wanted Patel to be the director.
