US Attorney General Merrick Garland praised FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday as a leader who served the United States “with honor and integrity” for two decades in the hours that followed Wray. Announce His plans to step down at the end of Biden's presidency.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Garland praised Wray's decades-long career as a civil servant and U.S. prosecutor, including as assistant U.S. attorney and head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
“Chris Wray has served our country with honor and integrity for decades, including for seven years as FBI Director under presidents of both parties,” Garland wrote on Wednesday.
President-elect Trump intends to nominate Kash Patel, right, to be FBI Director, succeeding Christopher Wray. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“In an extremely threatening environment, Director Wray worked tirelessly to protect the American people and lead an agency of 38,000 dedicated government employees, many of whom put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities,” Garland wrote, praising his efforts. His role is to work to fulfill the Department of Justice's mission “to keep our country 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 country – from nation-state adversaries and foreign and domestic terrorism to violent crime, cybercrime and financial crimes,” Garland said. “There are few leadership positions more important to keeping the American people safe than the Director of the FBI.”
The statement came shortly after Ray He announced his plans to resign at an FBI town hall on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., which was attended by thousands of FBI employees virtually and in person. Shortly after winning the election last month, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Kash Patel to succeed Wray, giving Wray the option of either going out on his own or being fired after Trump takes office.
Patel said Fox News on Wednesday He is seeking a “seamless transition” to replace Ray.
“After weeks of careful consideration, I have decided that the right thing for the office is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down,” Ray told staff during the City Council session. “My goal is to maintain focus on our mission, the indispensable work you do on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the office deeper into the fray while promoting the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” “
US Attorney General Merrick Garland (archive)
In his statement, Garland stressed the role the FBI Director plays in protecting the agency's independence from what he described as “inappropriate influence in its criminal investigations. … This independence is essential to maintaining the rule of law and protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.” my dear.”
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“Director Ray has done this job with integrity and skill,” Garland wrote on Wednesday. He added: “He has my gratitude, the gratitude of the FBI agents and employees whose respect and admiration he has earned, and the gratitude of the American people.”
