Christopher A. Wray

Christopher Asher Wray was born in New York City.{{cite web| url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/07/trump-new-fbi-director-christopher-wray-239240| title=5 Things to Know About Trump's FBI Pick Christopher Wray| date=June 7, 2017| first=Josh| last=Gerstein| publisher=Politico, US| access-date=June 8, 2017| archive-date=November 11, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111191609/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/07/trump-new-fbi-director-christopher-wray-239240| url-status=live}} His father, Cecil A. Wray Jr.,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/05/miss-gilda-gates-will-be-the-bride-of-cecil-wray-jr.html|title=Miss Gilda Gates Will Be the Bride Of Cecil Wray Jr.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 5, 1964|archive-date=February 10, 2018|access-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210003242/http://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/05/miss-gilda-gates-will-be-the-bride-of-cecil-wray-jr.html|url-status=live}} was a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Yale Law School who worked as a lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City.{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/into-the-minefield-steps-new-fbi-chief-christopher-wray|title=Into the minefield steps new FBI chief Christopher Wray|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=August 7, 2017|author=Ghosh, Nirmal|archive-date=March 3, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303084546/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/into-the-minefield-steps-new-fbi-chief-christopher-wray|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.debevoise.com/cecilwray|title=Cecil Wray|website=Debevoise|access-date=October 30, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116060529/https://www.debevoise.com/CecilWray|url-status=live}} His paternal grandfather, T. Cecil Wray, was the city manager of Brentwood, Tennessee from 1971 to 1973.{{cite news |title=T. Cecil Wray Memorial Rites Set Tomorrow |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/112792611/?terms=%22t.%2Bcecil%2Bwray%22 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |work=The Tennessean |date=May 14, 1985 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104204011/https://www.newspapers.com/image/112792611/?terms=%22t.%2Bcecil%2Bwray%22 |url-status=live }} His paternal great-grandfather, Taylor Malone, was also a Vanderbilt graduate,{{cite news |title=Taylor Malone Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/591580243/?terms=%22Taylor%2BMalone%22 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |work=Kingsport Times |location=Kingsport, Tennessee |date=June 30, 1955 |page=25 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728140759/https://www.newspapers.com/image/591580243/?terms=%22Taylor%2BMalone%22 |url-status=live }} and the co-founder and president of Malone & Hyde, "one of the South's largest wholesale grocery firms."{{cite news |title=Retired grocer dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/575031718/?terms=%22Taylor%2BMalone%22 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |work=The Birmingham News |date=June 30, 1955 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104115824/https://www.newspapers.com/image/575031718/?terms=%22Taylor%2BMalone%22 |url-status=live }} His maternal grandfather, Samuel E. Gates, "helped shape the laws that govern national and international airline flights" as an official of the Bureau of Air Commerce.{{cite news |title=Obituary: Samuel E. Gates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/483589939/?terms=%22Samuel%2BE.%2BGates%22 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |work=Daily News |date=March 10, 1979 |page=23 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813053101/https://www.newspapers.com/image/483589939/?terms=%22Samuel%2BE.%2BGates%22 |url-status=live }}

Wray attended the private Buckley School{{cite web | url = http://www.lakeplacidnews.com/page/content.detail/id/527185/Soon-to-be-FBI-director-has-Adirondack-ties.html | title = Soon-to-be FBI director has Adirondack ties | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091855/http://www.lakeplacidnews.com/page/content.detail/id/527185/Soon-to-be-FBI-director-has-Adirondack-ties.html | archive-date = March 27, 2019 | publisher = Lake Placid News | first = Chris | last = Knight | date = July 30, 2017 | access-date = October 11, 2018}} in New York City and the private boarding school Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.{{cite news|title=Helen G. Howell Weds C. A. Wray|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/13/style/helen-g-howell-weds-c-a-wray.html|work=The New York Times|date=August 13, 1989|archive-date=December 19, 2017|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219163036/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/13/style/helen-g-howell-weds-c-a-wray.html|url-status=live}} After graduating, Wray attended Yale University where he majored in philosophy and graduated cum laude in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then attended Yale Law School, where he was the executive editor of the Yale Law Journal and graduated in 1992 with a Juris Doctor.

After graduating from law school, Wray was a law clerk to Judge J. Michael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1992 to 1993. He then entered private practice at the law firm King & Spalding.

Wray joined the government in 1997 as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. In 2001, he moved to the Justice Department as associate deputy attorney general and principal associate deputy attorney general.{{cite web| url=http://heavy.com/news/2017/05/christopher-chris-wray-ray-fbi-director-us-attorney-comey-bio/| title=Christopher Wray: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know| date=May 30, 2017| first=Tom| last=Cleary| publisher=Heavy.com| access-date=June 7, 2017| archive-date=June 18, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618193422/http://heavy.com/news/2017/05/christopher-chris-wray-ray-fbi-director-us-attorney-comey-bio/| url-status=live}}

On June 9, 2003, President George W. Bush nominated Wray to be the 33rd Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department. Wray was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on September 11, 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/criminal/index_wray.htm |title=Criminal Division: Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050113114233/http://www.justice.gov/criminal/index_wray.htm |access-date=January 4, 2018|archive-date=January 13, 2005 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/criminal/history/assistant-attorneys-general/christopher-a-wray|title=Christopher A. Wray|publisher=United States Department of Justice|language=en|access-date=June 7, 2017|date=June 23, 2016|archive-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607115000/https://www.justice.gov/criminal/history/assistant-attorneys-general/christopher-a-wray|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/108th-congress/705?r=1345|title=PN705 — Christopher A. Wray — Department of Justice|publisher=U.S. Congress|access-date=June 7, 2017|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030230857/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/108th-congress/705?r=1345|url-status=live}} Wray was Assistant Attorney General from 2003 to 2005, working under Deputy Attorney General James Comey. While heading the Criminal Division, Wray oversaw prominent fraud investigations, including Enron.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXpsBgAAQBAJ&q=Christopher+A.+Wray+enron+-trump&pg=PT804 |title=A Financial History of Modern U.S. Corporate Scandals: From Enron to Reform: From Enron to Reform |first=Jerry W. |last=Markham |year=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317478157}}

In early 2004, the Justice Department issued a finding that the Bush administration's warrantless domestic surveillance program under the Terrorist Surveillance Program (TSP) was unconstitutional.{{cite news |last1=Lichtblau |first1=Eric |last2=Risen |first2=James |date=January 1, 2006 |work=The New York Times |title=Justice Deputy Resisted Parts of Spy Program |access-date=July 13, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/politics/justice-deputy-resisted-parts-of-spy-program.html |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314192211/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/politics/justice-deputy-resisted-parts-of-spy-program.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Perez |first=Evan |date=July 7, 2013 |title=Nominee for FBI Top Post Likely to Face Tough Questions |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324867904578591404201463958 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=July 13, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127182407/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324867904578591404201463958 |url-status=live }} Under White House procedures, DoJ approval was required in order for the program to be renewed. In 2006, it was revealed DoJ officials came under pressure from the White House to change this ruling, and that then-FBI Director Robert Mueller and Comey had prepared their resignations if the White House overruled it.{{cite news |date=May 16, 2007 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500864.html |title=Gonzales Hospital Episode Detailed |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 13, 2023 |first1=Dan |last1=Eggen |first2=Paul |last2=Kane |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516033648/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500864.html |url-status=live }} In 2013, it was revealed that Wray threatened to resign along with them over the matter.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2013/05/30/forged-under-firebob-mueller-and-jim-comeys-unusual-friendship/|last=Graff|first=Garrett M|title=Forged Under Fire—Bob Mueller and Jim Comey's Unusual Friendship|date=May 30, 2013|publisher=Washingtonian.com|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123074922/https://www.washingtonian.com/2013/05/30/forged-under-firebob-mueller-and-jim-comeys-unusual-friendship/|url-status=live}}

In March 2005, Wray announced that he would resign from his post.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/200649194/?terms=Wray+is+the+first+high-ranking+official+to+leave+since+Gonzales+took+over+as+attorney+general |title=1 Mar 2005, Page 5 – Asheville Citizen-Times at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=March 1, 2005 |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102141315/https://www.newspapers.com/image/200649194/?terms=Wray+is+the+first+high-ranking+official+to+leave+since+Gonzales+took+over+as+attorney+general |url-status=live }}

In 2005, Wray received the Edmund J. Randolph Award, the Justice Department's highest award for public service and leadership.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/christopher-wray|title=Christopher Wray, August 2, 2017 – Present|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=May 17, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215033433/https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/christopher-wray|url-status=live}}

In 2005, Wray returned to King & Spalding as a litigation partner in the firm's Washington, D.C., and Atlanta offices. Wray represented several Fortune 100 companies and chaired the King & Spalding Special Matters and Government Investigations Practice Group.{{cite web | url=https://rollcall.com/2017/06/07/trump-to-nominate-wray-for-fbi-director/ | title=Trump to Nominate Wray for FBI Director | date=June 7, 2017 | access-date=June 4, 2023 | archive-date=June 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604171337/https://rollcall.com/2017/06/07/trump-to-nominate-wray-for-fbi-director/ | url-status=live }} During his time at King & Spalding, Wray acted as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's personal attorney during the Bridgegate scandal.{{cite web |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Claude |title=What Christie Says Now That 2 of His Bridgegate Lawyers Could Get Big Jobs From Trump |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/christies_2_bridgegate_lawyers_could_be_new_fbi_di.html |website=NJ.com |publisher=NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, US |date=June 2, 2017 |access-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-date=June 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602200202/http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/christies_2_bridgegate_lawyers_could_be_new_fbi_di.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/nyregion/christies-phone-a-missing-piece-in-bridge-case-is-found.html |title=Christie's Phone, a Missing Piece in the Bridge Case, Is Found |access-date=June 7, 2017 |date=July 7, 2016 |publisher=The New York Times, US |first=Patrick |last=McGeehan |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625085327/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/nyregion/christies-phone-a-missing-piece-in-bridge-case-is-found.html |url-status=live }} Wray's firm also represents Russian energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft, an issue which came under contention during the confirmation process for position of FBI Director.{{cite news |title=Donald Trump's new FBI director pick has Russian ties of his own |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/06/08/trump-new-fbi-director-chris-wray-russian-ties-rosneft-gazprom-column/102603214/ |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=USA Today |date=June 8, 2017}}

File:Attorney General Jeff Sessions on the Swearing in of FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, August 2, 2017.jpg Jeff Sessions.]]

Following the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey on May 9, 2017, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie presented to President Donald Trump the possibility of hiring Wray as Comey's replacement.{{cite news|title=Chris Christie defends Wray amid GOP hearing he describes as 'theater'|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/chris-christie-defends-wray-amid-gop-hearing-he-describes-as-theater/ar-AA1dMOIz|access-date=July 15, 2023|work=Washington Examiner|first=Misty |last=Severi |date=July 12, 2023}} According to then Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Trump interviewed Wray for the vacant FBI Director job on May 30. Eight days later, Trump announced his intention to nominate Wray to be the next FBI Director.{{cite news|title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Christopher A. Wray to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-christopher-wray-director-federal-bureau-investigation/|access-date=June 15, 2017|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|date=June 7, 2017|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120202523/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-christopher-wray-director-federal-bureau-investigation/|url-status=live}}

Wray's Senate confirmation hearing commenced on July 12, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/us/politics/christopher-wray-fbi-confirmation-hearing.html?mcubz=0 |title=Trump's Nominee to Lead F.B.I. Pledges to Resist White House Pressure |date=July 12, 2017 |first1=Adam |last1=Goldman |first2=Michael S |last2=Schmidt |publisher=The New York Times, US |access-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102091052/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/us/politics/christopher-wray-fbi-confirmation-hearing.html?mcubz=0 |url-status=live }} Among other testimony, when asked if he believed that the investigation into Russian 2016 election interference and possible links to Trump's campaign is a "witch hunt", he stated that he did not. On July 20, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously recommended to confirm Wray as the next Director of the FBI.{{cite web |title=Senate Panel Votes to Confirm Christopher Wray as New FBI Director |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/20/senate-panel-votes-confirm-christopher-wray-new-fbi-director/495001001/ |publisher=USA Today, US |first1=Erin |last1=Kelly |access-date=July 21, 2017 |date=July 20, 2017 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723063108/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/20/senate-panel-votes-confirm-christopher-wray-new-fbi-director/495001001/ |url-status=live }} Wray was officially confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support on August 1, 2017; the vote was 92–5.{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/senate-confirms-christopher-a-wray-as-next-fbi-director/2017/08/01/63ce5998-76f4-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html |title=Senate Confirms Wray as Next FBI Director |publisher=Washington Post, US |date=August 1, 2017 |first1=Karoun |last1=Demirjian |access-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801214134/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/senate-confirms-christopher-a-wray-as-next-fbi-director/2017/08/01/63ce5998-76f4-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00181 |title=Senate Roll Call Vote PN 696 |date=August 1, 2017 |website=United States Senate |access-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829000136/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00181 |url-status=live }} According to law passed by Congress in 1976 (Federal law (Public Law 94-503, section 203(b)), the director of the FBI serves a ten-year term.

Wray was sworn in by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a private ceremony on August 2, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-sessions-swearing-fbi-director-chris-wray |title=Statement by Attorney General Sessions on the Swearing in of FBI Director Chris Wray |website=justice.gov |access-date=August 2, 2017 |date=August 2, 2017 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802212148/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-sessions-swearing-fbi-director-chris-wray |url-status=live }} Wray was formally sworn in on September 28, 2017, in a ceremony that was not attended by President Trump, marking the first time an FBI director had been sworn in without the president who nominated him present at the ceremony.{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/28/christopher-wray-fbi-director-installation-243265|title=Trump skips ceremony for FBI director amid Russia investigation|work=POLITICO|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201042739/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/28/christopher-wray-fbi-director-installation-243265|url-status=live}}

In January 2020, Senator Chris Murphy wrote to Wray, urging the FBI to "investigate the allegations" that Saudi Arabia "illegally compromised and stole personal data" from Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, as part of a possible effort to "influence, if not silence, the Washington Post{{'}}s reporting on Saudi Arabia".{{cite news |title=Democratic senator asks intelligence agencies to open probe into Bezos phone hack |url=https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/480574-murphy-asks-intelligence-agencies-to-open-investigation-into-bezos-phone |work=The Hill |date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105070850/https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/480574-murphy-asks-intelligence-agencies-to-open-investigation-into-bezos-phone |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Senator calls for US intelligence to investigate Jeff Bezos 'phone hacking' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jan/29/jeff-bezos-saudi-arabia-us-intelligence-chris-murphy-hacking |work=The Guardian |date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024111734/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jan/29/jeff-bezos-saudi-arabia-us-intelligence-chris-murphy-hacking |url-status=live }}

On June 4, 2020, Wray stated that "anarchists" like antifa are "exploiting" George Floyd protests "to pursue violent, extremist agendas".{{cite news |title=Wray claims FBI sees 'anarchists like Antifa' exploiting George Floyd protests |url=https://news.yahoo.com/wray-claims-fbi-sees-anarchists-170251591.html |work=Yahoo News |date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607092155/https://news.yahoo.com/wray-claims-fbi-sees-anarchists-170251591.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=FBI Director Christopher Wray's Remarks at Press Conference Regarding Civil Unrest in Wake of George Floyd's Death |url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-director-christopher-wrays-remarks-at-press-conference-regarding-civil-unrest-in-wake-of-george-floyds-death |work=Fbi.gov |date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624004939/https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-director-christopher-wrays-remarks-at-press-conference-regarding-civil-unrest-in-wake-of-george-floyds-death |url-status=live }} Wray later clarified that antifa is an ideology rather than a specific organization, clashing with Trump.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-17|title=FBI director clashes with Trump, says antifa is not an organization|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/wires/us/fbi-christopher-wray-antifa-terrorism-trump-b471807.html|access-date=2023-01-16|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117110909/https://www.independent.co.uk/wires/us/fbi-christopher-wray-antifa-terrorism-trump-b471807.html|url-status=live}}

In April 2020, Trump considered ousting Wray and replacing him with William Evanina but when Attorney General William Barr threatened to resign, Trump backed down.{{Cite web|last=Lippman|first=Daniel|title=Inside Trump's push to oust his own FBI chief|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/20/trump-wray-fbi-chief-489725|access-date=2023-01-16|website=POLITICO|date=May 20, 2021|language=en|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522172554/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/20/trump-wray-fbi-chief-489725|url-status=live}}

In May 2020, Wray ordered an internal review into possible misconduct in the FBI's investigation of Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn.{{cite news |title=FBI Director Orders Internal Review Of Michael Flynn Investigation |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/05/22/861252858/fbi-director-orders-internal-review-of-michael-flynn-investigation?t=1591523121974 |work=NPR |date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105220656/https://www.npr.org/2020/05/22/861252858/fbi-director-orders-internal-review-of-michael-flynn-investigation?t=1591523121974 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=FBI Director Wray opens internal review into how bureau handled Michael Flynn case |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-director-wray-opens-internal-investigation-into-how-bureau-handled-michael-flynn-case |work=Fox News |date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215154807/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-director-wray-opens-internal-investigation-into-how-bureau-handled-michael-flynn-case |url-status=live }} On October 28, the FBI Agents Association released a letter addressed to both Trump and Joe Biden requesting Wray remain Director of the FBI for the 10-year term.{{Cite web|title=FBI Agents Association: FBI Director Christopher Wray Should Complete Ten-Year Term|url=https://fbiaa.org/fbiaa-press-releases-list/fbi-agents-association-fbi-director-christopher-wray-should-complete-ten|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-29|website=fbiaa.org|date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101053116/https://www.fbiaa.org/fbiaa-press-releases-list/fbi-agents-association-fbi-director-christopher-wray-should-complete-ten |archive-date=November 1, 2020 }} On December 2, a member of then-president-elect Biden's transition team announced that if Wray was not fired or removed from his position by Trump, then he would remain Director of the FBI.{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Joe|title=Report: Biden Will Keep Chris Wray As FBI Director — If Trump Doesn't Fire Him First|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2020/12/02/report-biden-will-keep-chris-wray-as-fbi-director---if-trump-doesnt-fire-him-first/|access-date=2020-12-03|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128182021/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2020/12/02/report-biden-will-keep-chris-wray-as-fbi-director---if-trump-doesnt-fire-him-first/|url-status=live}} On March 2, 2021, Wray testified in Senate hearings about the extremism that led to the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol in which he condemned the attack on the U.S. Capitol and argued that it was a case of domestic terrorism.{{cite web |last1=Naylor |first1=Brian |last2=Lucas |first2=Ryan |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Watch: Wray Stresses Role of Right-Wing Extremism In Hearing About Jan. 6 Riot |website=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/02/972539274/fbi-director-wray-testifies-before-congress-for-1st-time-since-capitol-attack |access-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302100704/https://www.npr.org/2021/03/02/972539274/fbi-director-wray-testifies-before-congress-for-1st-time-since-capitol-attack |url-status=live }}

In July 2023, Wray was questioned by House Republicans regarding allegations of political bias and civil liberties violations. The Republicans alleged FBI's interference in the Hunter Biden investigation and broader abuses of power. However, he defended the FBI's actions to apprehend violent criminals and seize drugs.{{cite web |title=FBI director faces GOP grilling about alleged agency 'politicization' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fbi-director-set-field-questions-politicization-capitol-hill/story?id=101097485 |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=abc News}}

After the 2024 presidential election, president-elect Donald Trump indicated that he would fire Wray and seek to replace him with former prosecutor Kash Patel. At that time, Wray had three years left in his 10-year term. On December 11, 2024, Wray announced that he would resign at the conclusion of the Biden presidency, January 20, 2025.{{Cite web |last1=Ibssa |first1=Lalee |last2=Walsh |first2=Kelsey |last3=Kim |first3=Soo Rin |last4=Pereira |first4=Ivan |last5=Levine |first5=Mike |last6=Barr |first6=Luke |date=November 30, 2024 |title=Trump says he'll fire FBI Director Christopher Wray, replace him with longtime ally Kash Patel |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-hell-fire-fbi-director-christopher-wray-replace/story?id=116342099 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204162334/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-hell-fire-fbi-director-christopher-wray-replace/story?id=116342099 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Legare |first1=Robert |last2=Triay |first2=Andres |last3=Sganga |first3=Nicole |date=2024-12-11 |title=Wray to resign as FBI director before Trump's inauguration - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wray-resigns-fbi-director-trump/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} The Vacancies Reform Act{{Cite web |title=5 U.S. Code § 3345 |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3345}} says that if there is a vacancy in the director of the FBI (or any other Senate-confirmed position), the president must replace the person with a person who has (1) already been confirmed by the Senate or (2) a person who has served in the agency at a senior level (according to the GS-15 pay scale).{{Cite web |title=General Schedule Pay Scale |url=https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/pay}} Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s proposed successor, does not meet either of these criteria. Commentators have speculated as to whether the Vacancies Reform Act motivated Wray to resign as Paul Abbate (deputy director of the FBI since 2021) or some other person qualified under the Vacancies Reform Act would have to fill the position prior to a Senate confirmation of Patel.{{Cite news |last=French |first=David |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Did Christopher Wray Just Defy Donald Trump? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/04/opinion/thepoint/chris-wray-fbi-trump-step-down?smid=url-share |access-date=December 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}

{{Main|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections}}

On December 9, 2019, Wray was interviewed by ABC News following the release of the DoJ inspector general's report on the origins of the Russia investigation.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fbi-director-chris-wray-reacts-doj-watchdog-report/story?id=67605418|title=FBI Director Chris Wray reacts to DOJ watchdog report on Russia investigation: Exclusive|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2019-12-10|archive-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219051108/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fbi-director-chris-wray-reacts-doj-watchdog-report/story?id=67605418|url-status=live}} In the interview, when asked about characterizations of the FBI and its agents as the "deep state", Wray responded, "I think that's the kind of label that's a disservice to the men and women who work at the FBI who I think tackle their jobs with professionalism, with rigor, with objectivity, with courage. So that's not a term I would ever use to describe our work force and I think it's an affront to them." He said he did not believe the Trump campaign was unfairly targeted by the FBI probe. He also denied that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential elections, stating "We have no information that indicates that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 presidential election" and "as far as the [2020] election itself goes, we think Russia represents the most significant threat". This led Trump to criticize Wray the following day, claiming that Wray would "never be able to fix the FBI."{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204374382715506690|title=I don't know what report current Director of the FBI Christopher Wray was reading, but it sure wasn't the one given to me. With that kind of attitude, he will never be able to fix the FBI, which is badly broken despite having some of the greatest men & women working there!|last=Trump|first=Donald J.|date=2019-12-10|website=Twitter|language=en|access-date=2019-12-10|archive-date=February 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221014334/https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204374382715506690|url-status=live}}

{{Main|China–United States relations}}

File:Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Chris Wray Announce Charges Against Chinese government hackers for economic aggression and espionage 3.jpg and Wray announce charges against Chinese government hackers, December 20, 2018]]

On February 13, 2018, in a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing focused on Chinese espionage in the United States, Senator Marco Rubio asked Wray about the risk posed from Chinese students in advanced science and mathematics programs. In response, Wray stated "nontraditional collectors" (which he elaborated to include professors, scientists, and students) are "exploiting the very open research and development environment that we have" and consequently he viewed the risk "as not just a whole of government threat but a whole of society threat."{{cite web |url=https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/open-hearing-worldwide-threats-hearing-1 |title=Open hearing on worldwide threats |date=February 13, 2018 |publisher=U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence |access-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315001708/https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/open-hearing-worldwide-threats-hearing-1 |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |url-status=dead }} Sequence commences at video timestamp 01:15:38. Representatives Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, and Grace Meng released statements criticizing Wray's response as "irresponsible generalizations" implying that all Chinese students and scholars were spies.{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chinese-students-in-us-a-threat-fbi-chiefs-claim-slammed-as-irresponsible |title=Chinese students in US a threat? FBI chief's claim slammed as 'irresponsible' |date=February 23, 2018 |newspaper=The Straits Times |access-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324164034/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chinese-students-in-us-a-threat-fbi-chiefs-claim-slammed-as-irresponsible |url-status=live }} A coalition of Asian American advocacy groups wrote an open letter to Wray asking for a dialogue "to discuss how well-intentioned public policies might nonetheless lead to troubling issues of potential bias, racial profiling, and wrongful prosecution".{{cite web |url=https://advancingjustice-aajc.org/sites/default/files/2018-03/OPEN%20LETTER%20TO%20FBI%20DIRECTOR%20CHRISTOPHER%20WRAY.pdf |title=Asian American Groups Demand Meeting With FBI Director After Anti-Chinese Statements |date=March 1, 2018 |website=advancingjustice-aajc.org |access-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923180640/https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/sites/default/files/2018-03/OPEN%20LETTER%20TO%20FBI%20DIRECTOR%20CHRISTOPHER%20WRAY.pdf |url-status=live }} In a follow-up interview with NBC, Wray stood by his earlier remarks: "To be clear, we do not open investigations based on race, or ethnicity, or national origin. But when we open investigations into economic espionage, time and time again, they keep leading back to China."{{cite interview |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-chief-biggest-threats-china-spies-terror-rise-violent-crime-n858786 |title=FBI chief on biggest threats: China spies, terror, rise in violent crime |subject=Christopher Wray |interviewer=Pete Williams |date=March 21, 2018 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208075304/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-chief-biggest-threats-china-spies-terror-rise-violent-crime-n858786 |url-status=live }}

In July 2020, Wray called People's Republic of China the "greatest long-term threat" to the United States. He said that "the FBI is now opening a new China-related counterintelligence case every 10 hours. Of the nearly 5,000 active counterintelligence cases currently under way across the country, almost half are related to China."{{cite news |title=FBI director: China is 'greatest threat' to US |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53329755 |work=BBC News |date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212013511/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53329755 |url-status=live }} Wray cited the Anthem medical data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 78 million people and the 2017 Equifax data breach that impacted more than 145 million Americans.{{cite news |title=FBI Director Wray warns of Chinese hacking, espionage threats against American companies |url=https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/506250-fbi-director-wray-warns-of-chinese-hacking-espionage-threats-against |work=The Hill |date=July 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708154421/https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/506250-fbi-director-wray-warns-of-chinese-hacking-espionage-threats-against |url-status=live }} Wray argued China was trying to become the world's only superpower, supplanting the United States.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-24|title=Pompeo urges China's citizens to help change Beijing's 'behaviour'|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3094467/us-secretary-state-urges-chinas-citizens-help-change-behaviour|access-date=2020-07-24|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728092105/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3094467/us-secretary-state-urges-chinas-citizens-help-change-behaviour|url-status=live}}

In February 2023, Wray appeared in an interview on Fox News endorsing the theory that the COVID-19 virus may have leaked from a laboratory in China. The endorsement comes after the United States Department of Energy and the FBI both released statements saying that it was likely that the virus had come after a lab leak in China. The assessments were made with "low confidence" and "moderate confidence", respectively.{{Cite news |last=Beckett |first=Lois |date=2023-03-01 |title=FBI director endorses theory Covid-19 virus may have leaked from Chinese lab |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/28/fbi-director-endorses-china-lab-leak-covid-theory |access-date=2023-03-01 |issn=0261-3077}}

File:Director Wray Installation Ceremony (24123074718).jpg

Wray married Helen Garrison Howell, a Yale undergraduate classmate, in 1989.{{cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/who-is-helen-wray-christophers-wife-could-play-a-pivotal-role-in-his-career-62834 |title=Who Is Helen Wray? |date=June 7, 2017 |publisher=Bustle, US |website=Bustle.com |first1=Cate |last1=Carrejo |access-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101015548/https://www.bustle.com/p/who-is-helen-wray-christophers-wife-could-play-a-pivotal-role-in-his-career-62834 |url-status=live }} They have a son, Trip, and a daughter, Caroline, and live in Georgia.{{cite news |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/five-things-know-about-chris-wray-family/jwqrLacUL2MgMgLL2OH7cP/ |title=Five Things to Know About Chris Wray's Family |first1=J.D. |last1=Capelouto |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia, US |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303002253/https://www.ajc.com/news/five-things-know-about-chris-wray-family/jwqrLacUL2MgMgLL2OH7cP/ |url-status=live }}

From January 2016 to July 2017, the month of his confirmation, Wray earned $9.2 million working as an attorney for the law firm King & Spalding, significantly more than his salary as FBI Director. According to a calculation from The Wall Street Journal, Wray's net worth in 2017 was estimated to be $23 million to $42 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/fbi-director-christopher-wray-pay-cut-635176|title=Christopher Wray will take a significant hit to his salary if confirmed as FBI director|first=Jason|last=Le Miere|date=July 12, 2017|website=Newsweek|access-date=August 30, 2018|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227013459/https://www.newsweek.com/fbi-director-christopher-wray-pay-cut-635176|url-status=live}}

Wray is a Republican and a member of the Federalist Society.

• Foreign electoral intervention

{{Reflist}}

{{wikinews|FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign}}

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