FBI nominee thinks Russia probe warranted
The question on the floor is whether the investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 national election is a witch hunt or a substantive matter?
Wray also pledged that, if he is confirmed, he will not try to influence that investigation in any way, He declared that any attempt to do so is unacceptable.
Wray might never convince Trump that the investigation is substantive and necessary. But it’s getting harder to deny.
President Donald Trump says it’s the former. In fact, it’s the greatest witch hunt in political history. “Sad.”
However, the man Trump has nominated to replace fired FBI director James Comey says the investigation is not only not a witch hunt but a matter of grave importance.
Christopher Wray, Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, said during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday that the investigation by former FBI director Robert Mueller is needed and warranted. Wray also pledged that, if he is confirmed, he will not try to influence that investigation in any way, He declared that any attempt to do so is unacceptable.
Mind you, Wray is the man Trump said has “impeccable credentials” to be FBI director.
This actually seems to be something we agree on. Wray has an outstanding track record both as an employee in the Department of Justice and in private law practice.
As expected, the subject of loyalty came up during Wray’s testimony. Former director Comey insisted that in private conversation Trump had told him that he expected personal loyalty from the FBI director. Comey says he promised Trump honesty.
When questioned about his loyalties, Wray told sena- tors he would show “strict independence” and would be loyal to the Constitution of the United States.
It’s a shame we even have to say it, but that’s the solid foundation from which an effective FBI director must operate.
Wray might never convince Trump that the investigation is substantive and necessary. But it’s getting harder to deny. Earlier this week Donald Trump Jr. admitted he had a meeting during the campaign with a Russian lawyer eager to dish dirt on Hillary Clinton. He even released the emails that led to it. Paul Manafort, already under investigation because of financial ties to Russia, and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner were there, too.
The Trump family is claiming this was all innocent opposition research. That begs the question: Why did they lie about it? The idea that Manafort, Kushner and Trump Jr. all forgot is rollingon-the-floor laughable.
It hardly matters what Trump thinks now. It’s too late to stop the investigation without causing a constitutional crisis. The Senate should confirm Wray and get on with it.
But the good news in an open society is that, at its conclusion, Americans will be able to judge for themselves whether this was a witch hunt or a sincere national security investigation.