Trump names candidate for FBI
Christopher Wray needs approval of US senators
WASHINGTON // President Donald Trump said yesterday he will nominate former justice department official Christopher A Wray as FBI director, a day before the man he fired from that post, James Comey, testifies before the senate.
“I will be nominating Christopher A Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new director of the FBI. Details to follow,” the president said on Twitter. The senate must approve Mr Trump’s choice to replace former FBI director Mr Comey, whom the president fired last month amid the agency’s investigation into alleged Russian interference into the US election. Mr Trump’s announcement came the day before Mr Comey was scheduled to testify before the senate intelligence committee on Russia’s alleged interference and any potential ties to Mr Trump’s campaign or associates. The timing of the announcement suggested Mr Trump’s interest in trying to turn the page on Mr Comey’s era at the FBI. Mr Wray led the US department of justice’s criminal divi- sion between 2003 and 2005, according to his biography on the website of King & Spalding, the company where he is a litigation partner. He represented one- time Trump adviser New Jersey governor Chris Christie in the George Washington Bridge traffic scandal of 2014.
While Mr Wray will face close questioning in his senate confirmation hearing, his background as a justice department professional may give him an advantage.
Senators of both parties had urged Mr Trump to choose a law enforcement professional rather than a politician. Former Barack Obama administration ethics adviser Norm Eisen endorsed Mr Wray, saying on Twitter he is respected in the white-collar bar and did a good job on the Enron case.