Democratic rep slams Wray for stepping aside

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) took aim at FBI Director Christopher Wray, who announced his intent to step down from the role ahead of President-Trump’s apparent plans to fire him.

"I, maybe, you know, Director Wray is right that by removing himself, he removes a target, but he’s going to be replaced with a partisan hack who has no real experience with the FBI, or for that matter law enforcement writ large,” Connolly told CNN's Dana Bash, who had said that Wray's resignation may signal that the FBI director role is "political" — that as one president leaves, a new leader for the position is chosen. Though, she noted, "that's not the case," since directors traditionally serve a 10-year term.

Trump nominated Kash Patel to lead the FBI, suggesting he plans to remove Wray, whom Trump nominated to a 10-year term in 2017.

"And I think for the rank-and-file FBI, I think his decision to resign prematurely under pressure is tantamount to abandonment, abandonment of the FBI and abandonment of them and their protections, exposing them to a political purge," he added, as highlighted by Mediaite.

Wray in a town hall meeting earlier this week said he would finish out his term until the end of Biden's administration in January.

“My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work," Wray said.

Trump celebrated Wray's announcement, labeling it a "great day for America" and claiming it would lead to necessary changes at the bureau.

“The resignation of Christopher Wray is a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I just don’t know what happened to him. We will now restore the Rule of Law for all Americans.”