Trump picks defense lawyer Wray to lead FBI
WASHINGTON - Christopher Wray, a white-collar defense lawyer with a strong law enforcement background who represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the Bridgegate scandal, was announced Wednesday as President Donald Trump’s pick to head the FBI.
In an early morning tweet, Trump said he intended to nominate Wray, a high-ranking official in George W. Bush’s Justice Department. That word came one day before the FBI director that Trump fired last month, James Comey, was to testify in public on Capitol Hill for the first time since his dismissal.
Trump, in a statement later Wednesday, called Wray “an impeccably qualified individual.”
“I know that he will again serve his country as a fierce guardian of the law and model of integrity once the Senate confirms him to lead the FBI,” Trump said.
Wray said he was honored to be selected. “I look forward to serving the American people with integrity as the leader of what I know firsthand to be an extraordinary group of men and women who have dedicated their careers to protecting this country,” he said.
Wray rose to head the department’s criminal division in the Bush administration and oversaw investigations into corporate fraud. Wray took charge of a task force of prosecutors and FBI agents created to investigate the Enron scandal.
He also played an important role after Sept. 11, providing oversight as the FBI and Justice Department shifted their focus to counterterrorism and performing “superbly” according to the current attorney general, Jeff Sessions.
Sessions said Wray “combines a brilliant legal mind, outstanding accomplishments and a proven record of public service.”