Staff Reports
Donald Trump is set to enjoy the sweet sound of victory as Chris Wray, the outgoing FBI director, makes a hasty exit before the new administration even gets off the ground. This might just be the first time in history that an FBI director has resigned primarily out of fear of getting fired. Trump heralded this event on social media, proclaiming it a landmark moment that he claims will end the so-called “Weaponization” of what he refers to as the United States Department of Injustice. To many Americans, this sounds akin to ringing the bell on a long-overdue party.
Wray managed to last only a few years in a ten-year term, and it’s not hard to see why. His tenure was marred by controversies, such as the infamous raid on Mar-a-Lago and a failure to look into alleged bribery involving the current president. Republican senators like Chuck Grassley have made their feelings clear, sending pointed letters detailing Wray’s shortcomings and demanding better leadership at the FBI. In essence, the only mystery left was whether Wray would take the initiative to leap before being pushed—or if he would cling to his desk like a captain refusing to abandon a sinking ship.
The answer came in the form of an announcement during a town hall meeting where Wray indicated that he would step down at the end of the current administration, a move many saw as self-preservation rather than the commendable resignation he attempted to frame it as. By opting to leave, Wray avoided the humiliation of being fired by a president who, in a delightful twist of irony, he himself was nominated by back in 2017.
Trump’s celebration of Wray’s departure has been nothing short of enthusiastic. He characterized Wray’s resignation as a “great day for America,” suggesting turbulent times ahead finally have a chance for resolution. With that door swinging wide open, Trump has wasted no time nominating Kash Patel, a staunch ally and former National Security Council member, to take Wray’s place. Patel promises to restore a sense of lawfulness and justice that many feel has been sorely lacking in recent years.
'Great Day for America': Trump Sends Chris Wray Brutally Honest Going-Away Message via @WestJournalism https://t.co/nEKYCJq3zk
— Richard Lemorie (@RLemorie) December 13, 2024
While insiders and skeptics wonder about Patel’s reception in the establishment circles of Washington, Trump appears positively jubilant about the prospect of a new sheriff with a clear mandate. And let’s be honest, it’s not everyday that a former TV star-turned-supreme leader announces his appointee as “the most qualified nominee in the agency’s history.” If this isn’t the conservative dream team, it’s hard to imagine what is.
Wray’s official end date remains a mystery, though it is expected to be scheduled just in time for Trump’s inauguration celebrations. In the grand game of political hopscotch, Wray was clearly not willing to stick around for the next round. Meanwhile, that confidence boost for Kash Patel seems well-timed, as it has the potential to galvanize the ranks of the FBI, restoring morale among agents who aren’t interested in political theater. With Patel at the helm, the FBI may very well be on a path toward once again becoming an agency of law and order that the American people expect, rather than a tool for partisan machinations.
