BREAKING: Controversial FBI Director will step down, Kash Patel responds

Controversial FBI director Christopher Wray announced on Wednesday he will resign from his role at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. Wray was appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2017.

“After weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down,” he said. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission – the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.”

Wray’s term was supposed to end in 2027; however, Trump has already announced Kash Patel as the FBI’s next director. Critics, including the incoming president, spotlighted the bureau’s 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid, blasting Wray for his alleged double standard against Trump.

“I can’t say I’m thrilled with him,” Trump told NBC News’ Kristen Welker. “He invaded my home. I’m suing the country over it. He invaded Mar-a-Lago. I’m very unhappy with the things he’s done, and crime is at an all-time high. Migrants are pouring into the country that are from prisons and from mental institutions, as we’ve discussed. I can’t say I’m thrilled.”

Senator Chuck Grassley, who presided over Wray’s confirmation hearing in 2017, called for the director’s resignation in an open letter published on Monday.

“You didn’t live up to your word,” the senator complained. “Promises made, promises broken has become a recurrent theme under your leadership.”

Grassley accused Wray of refusing to comply with congressional investigations into FBI sexual harassment allegations and failing to “investigate bribery allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden, while strictly scrutinizing former President Trump.”

“President Trump has been subjected to a continuing double standard,” he wrote. “While the FBI under your leadership turned a blind eye to information… that was prejudicial to President Biden, FBI agents conducted an unprecedented raid of President Trump’s home in Florida to serve a warrant for records. In that raid, roughly 30 armed agents entered the home of a former president of the United States, with full authorization to use lethal force if needed to execute its warrant, and even searched the former First Lady’s clothing drawers.”

Additionally, many of Trump’s allies have faulted Wray for the FBI’s unimpressive response to the two assassination attempts against Trump earlier this year. To date, the FBI still has not produced “any documents responsive to the Task Force’s requests regarding the preparation for, events of, and response to the second assassination attempt that occurred on September 15.”

Patel, Trump’s nominee to fill Wray’s position, reacted to the news Wednesday afternoon, posting a statement from the former president.

“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,” Trump rejoiced.

“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,” he added. “I look forward to Kash Patel’s confirmation, so that the process of Making the FBI Great Again can begin.”