FBI Director Christopher Wray announced on Wednesday that he plans to resign in January, just prior to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

"After careful consideration, I believe it is in the best interest of the bureau for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down," Wray stated in remarks shared with FBI employees.

Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017, has seen his relationship with the incoming president deteriorate over time. Although he had three years left in his 10-year term, the prospect of being dismissed by Trump loomed as the new administration approached.

In a recent interview on "Meet the Press," Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Wray's tenure, particularly referencing the FBI's 2022 raid on his Florida residence to recover classified documents. "He invaded my home," Trump remarked.

President Trump reacts on Truth Social....

"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. I just don’t know what happened to him. We will now restore the Rule of Law for all Americans. Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America. They have used their vast powers to threaten and destroy many innocent Americans, some of which will never be able to recover from what has been done to them. Kash Patel is the most qualified Nominee to lead the FBI in the Agency’s History, and is committed to helping ensure that Law, Order, and Justice will be brought back to our Country again, and soon. As everyone knows, I have great respect for the rank-and-file of the FBI, and they have great respect for me. They want to see these changes every bit as much as I do but, more importantly, the American People are demanding a strong, but fair, System of Justice. We want our FBI back, and that will now happen. I look forward to Kash Patel’s confirmation, so that the process of Making the FBI Great Again can begin. Thank you!"

Senator Chuck Grassley, a prominent Republican, commended Wray's decision to resign, having urged him just days prior to step down for the country’s benefit. Grassley stated, “Wray’s departure presents an opportunity for a new era of transparency and accountability at the FBI. Future directors should learn from Wray’s missteps, as avoiding Congress, breaking promises, and ignoring whistleblowers will no longer be acceptable.”

In his address to FBI staff, Wray emphasized that his resignation would prevent further entanglement of the bureau in political controversies while affirming the agency's core values. "Our mission to safeguard Americans and uphold the Constitution remains paramount," he said. "What must not change is our commitment to doing what is right, in the right way, every time."

Wray reiterated the importance of the FBI's core principles, including independence, objectivity, and the rule of law.

Patel, a former adviser to Trump and Pentagon official, has been a vocal critic of the FBI and is known for his controversial stance on alleged bias within the government. He has written about what he describes as an anti-Trump "deep state."

As the son of Indian immigrants, Patel held several high-ranking positions during Trump's presidency, including national security advisor and chief of staff to the acting defense secretary. In announcing Patel's nomination last month, Trump praised him as a "brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' advocate dedicated to exposing corruption and protecting the American people."

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