WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the FBI is a white-collar defense lawyer with a strong law enforcement background. Senate Republicans and some Democrats praised the nomination.
Trump surprised Washington early Wednesday by tweeting that he intended to nominate Christopher Wray to replace James Comey. The announcement came a day ahead of the ousted FBI director’s blockbuster congressional testimony about the investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible connections with Russia.
Wray was a high-ranking official in George W. Bush’s Justice Department and later represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the Bridgegate scandal. Trump called him “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.
The choice was quickly overwhelmed by the advance release of Comey’s riveting testimony, in which he said Trump sought his loyalty at a January dinner. The former FBI chief also said he told the president three times he was not under investigation in the probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.