Overview

• Christopher Wray announced his resignation as FBI director, opting to leave before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, ending his nearly eight-year tenure.
• Wray’s decision comes as Trump prepares to nominate Kash Patel, a staunch ally, to lead the FBI, signaling a potential shift in the bureau’s independence and operations.
• During his term, Wray faced criticisms from both sides, including Trump’s dissatisfaction over the FBI’s investigations into Russian interference and classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
• Patel’s nomination has sparked controversy due to his history of loyalty to Trump, his involvement in the Nunes memo, and his stated intent to overhaul the FBI.
• A new watchdog report revealed the FBI had previously subpoenaed Patel’s records during his investigation into the bureau, raising concerns about internal accountability.