FBI agents' search of former President Donald Trump's home was unprecedented in FBI history. Top.
The FBI has so far declined to comment, but much of the anger and attention to the raids has been directed at FBI Director Christopher Wray.
A day after the search, Republicans surrounded the 55-year-old former Justice Department official and demanded an answer from Congress about granting permission to search the former president's residence.
Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican member of the House of Representatives' Standing Intelligence Committee, demanded that Mr. Wray appear before Congress to answer questions.
"Congress deserves an immediate response from you regarding the actions you have ordered," Turner wrote in a letter to the FBI Director }
Jim Jordan , a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, called to tell Mr. Wray, "This Friday, the House Judiciary Committee will Come to the meeting and answer your questions about this action today.This has never happened' in American history.
Some of Mr. Trump's most ardent supporterseven called to "stop funding the FBI." 31} There were also allegations of a Deep State conspiracy
Who is Christopher Ray?
Perhaps the most pertinent fact about the FBI director is that he was appointed by Trump, especially amid allegations that he was part of an orchestrated political campaign against the former president. .
His appointment follows former FBI Director James He, who was conducting a criminal investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to help him win the 2016 election. Comey was ousted by Trump.
When announcing his appointment in 2017, Trump described Wray as "a man of impeccable qualifications."
"I am proud to announce that Christopher has been selected as Director of the FBI," Trump said in a statement at the time. "He was an impeccable and capable man, and I know he will once again serve his country as a fierce defender of the law and an exemplar of integrity."
A Republican, Wray served as Assistant Attorney General under Comey from 2003 to 2005 during the presidency of former President George W. Bush. During that time, he led a task force charged with investigating the Enron scandal.
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To resign due to legality concerns.
"Look, I don't know what's going on, but before you guys pull the ripcords, get your head up so I can jump with you. Washington According to the Post's report.
When he left the government in 2005, he went into practice as a litigation partner of King & Spalding, during which time he established the so-called "bridge." Represented former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the Gatescandal.
Throughout his career, he has regularly donated to Republican candidates (Mitt Romney, John McCain, David Perdue, etc.).
When he was first appointed, these contributions were scrutinized by some Democrats. , at the time, Mr. Wray said the FBI director "didn't pass the test" necessary to transcend partisan politics. Citing his donation to Republicans and Mr. Christie's deputy.
Mr. Wray was nevertheless formally confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2017. The vote was 92 to 5.
Compared to the political upheaval that has engulfed his predecessor, Mr. Wray's tenure with the FBI has been relatively modest until yesterday.
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the authorities since Mr. Wray took office was the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump supporters of the day, despite ample warning signs.
Ray used his first public comments after the Capitol attack to defend the authorities' response on January 6 when he appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2021. and warned of the growing threat of domestic terrorism.
"Unfortunately, January 6th was not an isolated event," he said. "Domestic terrorism has been a nationwide terrorism problem for a long time, and it won't go away anytime soon."
Since taking office in 2017, the number of FBI It has doubled to more than 2,000, he added.
The FBI is working through a massive backlog of hundreds related to attacks on the United States Capitol. means.
In his most recent congressional appearance, Mr. Wray was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee on domestic terrorism and violent crimes.
"The range of crime and national security threats we face as a nation is greater and more diverse than ever, and the demands and expectations of the FBI have never been higher." he said.
He said that "the problem of violent crime is real" in the United States and dedicated to fighting it, he said the FBI's task force had 17,000 arrests. 101} added that he did. last year.
Just five days after he showed up, an FBI agent was knocking on Mar-a-Lago's door.
