Christopher Wray Sworn in as FBI Director, Succeeds James Comey

Christopher Wray vowed in his confirmation hearing to remain independent and not be swayed by politics or pressure

Christopher Wray was sworn in by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions as the new FBI director on Wednesday, with the latter lauding Wray's "spirit" and "strength of character."

A former US Assistant Attorney for the Criminal Division, Wray replaces James Comey, who was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump amid a probe into the Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russia to influence the last year's presidential election.

The US Senate on Tuesday had confirmed former Justice Department lawyer Wray as FBI chief, nearly three months after the agency’s previous director, James Comey, was fired by President Donald Trump.

Wray, who was confirmed by vote of 92-5, will take charge of the country’s top domestic law enforcement agency during a federal probe into allegations of collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia.

Since the dismissal of Comey on 9 May, the Justice Department has appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation with the help of the FBI. Russia denies any interference, and Trump has denied collusion with Russia.

Also Read: Remember Trump’s ‘Comey Tapes’? He Has No Idea If They Exist

"It is the honour of a lifetime to serve as Director. 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," Wray said in a statement after he was sworn in by the US Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

In a statement, Sessions praised Wray's "spirit" and "strength of character," saying: "I am confident that the FBI, the premier investigative agency in the world, is in great hands with Director Chris Wray at the helm." "I congratulate him for being overwhelmingly confirmed to that post and look forward to working with him every day to keep America safe," he said.

“He (Wray) said he would resign if President Trump asked him to do anything illegal, and that he would consider any effort to tamper with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation to be unacceptable,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Wray vowed in his confirmation hearing last month to remain independent and not be swayed by politics or pressure from the president. He also praised Muller as the “consummate straight shooter”.

He also worked with Comey on the government’s case in the Enron Corp fraud scandal in the early 2000s.

During the confirmation hearing, Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Wray’s background showed he was committed to independence, an attribute he said was “vitally important” in the next FBI director.

Also Read: Comey Testifies Trump Fired Him to Scuttle FBI’s Russia Probe

Wray served as assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division at the Justice Department under former Republican President George W. Bush.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, both Democrats who served under President Barack Obama, endorsed Wray.

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