Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) expressed criticism over FBI Director Christopher Wray’s leadership of the agency, calling for “a new course” to be charted by the agency going forward.
Grassley’s comment comes a day after President-elect Donald Trump nominated Kash Patel to serve as his next FBI director, prompting questions over what the future holds for Wray leading the FBI. FBI directors typically serve 10 years at a time, and some called for Wray to continue working his job.
Grassley, however, called for the FBI to take a different pathway from Wray’s leadership in favor of restoring “accountability” at the agency.
“Chris Wray has failed at fundamental duties of FBI Dir He’s showed disdain for cong oversight & hasn’t lived up to his promises It’s time 2 chart a new course 4 TRANSPARENCY +ACCOUNTABILITY at FBI,” the Iowa senator posted on X.
Chris Wray has failed at fundamental duties of FBI Dir He’s showed disdain for cong oversight & hasn’t lived up to his promises It’s time 2 chart a new course 4 TRANSPARENCY +ACCOUNTABILITY at FBI
Kash Patel must prove to Congress he will reform &restore public trust in FBI
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 1, 2024
The senator also indicated that Trump’s nominee to replace Wray would not automatically receive his vote, as Patel must “prove to Congress” he will be able to restore the public’s trust in the FBI.
Following Trump’s nomination of Patel, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that the Biden administration would prefer for Wray to finish the remainder of his term. Wray was hired by Trump in 2017 after the president fired then-FBI Director James Comey.
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Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) argued that Trump hired “a very good man” with Wray in 2017, and unlike Grassley, he did not have “any complaints” over Wray’s performance as FBI director. However, he added that he believes Patel, along with “every one of these Cabinet nominees” by Trump, would get confirmed by the Senate come January.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), meanwhile, has argued that Patel’s nomination, along with Trump selecting Pam Bondi for attorney general, should be viewed favorably, as both will help reform the FBI and the Department of Justice, fulfilling a campaign promise to voters.
