Director FBI Christopher Wray announced on Wednesday that he would resign from his position ahead of schedule for January the inauguration of Donald Trump's presidency.
He announced his decision at an internal meeting for FBI employees and only the media reported it to the public.
Wray wants to 'avoid drawing the FBI into the dispute'
– After weeks of careful consideration, I have decided that the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in Januaryand then he gave in (…). This is the best way to avoid drawing the Bureau deeper into the dispute – he was supposed to say.
Wray referred to the expected resignation after Trump takes office, who announced that he would appoint Kashyap Patel as director of the FBI.
– It's not easy for me. I love this placeour mission, people. But my focus is always on doing what's right for the FBI, said Chris Wray.
Wray was appointed by President Trump for a 10-year term in August 2017. He oversaw the agency in a “high-threat environment,” including during an FBI investigation into President Trump's mishandling of government documents during his first term.
Trump has already fired the head of the FBI once
The American FBI is the main law enforcement agency for federal crimes and the main counterintelligence service. In 1976, the US Congress introduced 10-year term of office, to avoid politicians influencing the FBI. It was the aftermath of the Watergate Scandal.
Nevertheless, since the introduction of the law two FBI chiefs were fired before the end of the term. The first one during Bill Clinton's term in 1993, and the second one by Donald Trump in 2017
At that time, the FBI was investigating Russian influence during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump justified his decision, among other things. poor conduct of the investigation into suspected use by Hilary Clinton from a private email on state matters.