Who is FBI Director Christopher A Wray?
FBI DIRECTOR Christopher Wray approved an investigation into former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on August 8, 2022.
Wray was nominated by former President Donald Trump to take over the FBI director position in 2017.
Who is FBI Director Christopher A Wray?
Christopher Wray is an American lawyer, who has served as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2017.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1989 and earned his law degree from Yale Law School in 1992.
He began his career in law enforcement in 1997 and was the assistant US attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
While in his position, he covered federal criminal cases, including public corruption, gun trafficking, drug offenses, and financial fraud.
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He served as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division in George W Bush's administration from 2003 to 2005.
Under Bush, he oversaw the Counterterrorism Section and the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, going on to lead the Department of Justice's post-9/11 efforts in combatting terrorism, espionage, and cybercrime.
Wray was sworn in as the eighth FBI director in August 2017, taking the place of former Director James Comey.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as Director,” Wray said in a statement at the time.
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“I long ago grew to know and admire the FBI from my earliest days as a line prosecutor to my years as assistant attorney general.
"I am excited, humbled, and grateful, therefore, to have this chance to work side-by-side again with these fine professionals for the good of the country and the cause of justice.”
Did Christopher Wray authorize the raid on Donald Trump's home?
The FBI carried out a raid on Trump's Mar-a-Lago home, after receiving approval from FBI Director Christopher Wray.
The Senate confirmed Wray as director in 2017 shortly after Trump ousted Comey for his handling of the FBI's investigation of the Hillary Clinton email controversy and alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.
"We will have a great FBI director. I think [Wray's] doing really well and we're very proud of that choice. I think I've done a great service to the country by choosing him," Trump said in a speech at the time.
He continued: "He will make us all proud, and I think someday we'll see that and hopefully someday soon."
Wray was approved in a 92-5 vote, and Wray pledged he would "never allow the FBI's work to be driven by anything other than the facts, the law, and the impartial pursuit of justice. Period."
He added that anyone who thought he would pull any punches as FBI director "sure doesn't know me very well."
A source close to the investigation of Trump's home told the FBI was focusing on one area of the estate, primarily Trump's personal office and living quarters.
His lawyer, Christina Bobb, told the FBI had seized documents during their search.
According to , Trump's son, Eric, said in a Fox News interview that "the purpose of the raid, from what they said, was because the National Archives wanted to, you know, corroborate whether or not Donald Trump had any documents in his possession."
Trump called the raid "not necessary or appropriate," and "an assault" that "could only take place in broken, third-world countries."
The investigation was carried out following the long-running investigation by the DOJ into Trump's possible mishandling of White House files.
The FBI retrieved 15 boxes containing classified information from Trump who had allegedly taken them without proper authorization after leaving office.
What are Republicans and Trump supporters saying about the raid?
Republicans, who overwhelmingly voted for Wray as FBI director, are now calling for him to appear before Congress for an immediate briefing.
Sen Rick Scott (R-Florida) told that Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and President Joe Biden need to come before Congress and explain why the raid was carried out.
“This should scare every American,” Scott said. “Until we get answers, you should have unbelievable concern.”
Trump supporters gathered outside Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida a day after the FBI raid was carried out.
The supporters started gathering on the causeway that links Palm Beach and the mainland, with many sleeping overnight in their cars and others wearing MAGA hats and waving Trump flags.
A Trump supporter, Erica Huang, told NPR she drove from Orlando to protest.
"I wanted to support Trump who's in a dark time," Huang said. "He's rescuing our country. We love him."
What duties does the Director of the FBI fulfill?
As the head of the bureau, the director is responsible for ensuring that cases and operations are handled correctly.
The director is also in charge of staffing the leadership in any one of the FBI field offices with qualified agents.
The FBI investigates cases pertaining to terrorism, counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime, white collar crime, violent crime, and weapons of mass destruction.
The FBI director is who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
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The results of FBI investigations are often reviewed by the judicial system during court proceedings.
Within the US. Department of Justice, the FBI responds to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to US Attorneys across the country.