Wray urges FBI to avoid 'partisanship and politics' to maintain 'objectivity' in farewell address

Wray is expected to resign his post on Jan. 20, the same day that President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be the next FBI director.

Published: January 10, 2025 9:16pm

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Friday insisted that the bureau must sidestep "partisanship and politics" in the future in order to maintain "independence" and "objectivity" during a farewell speech at the FBI headquarters. 

Wray is expected to resign his post on Jan. 20, the same day that President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be the next FBI director. 

The director in his speech said that the bureau needs to do its work professionally, "with rigor" and "integrity," and follow the facts regardless of where they lead, according to The Hill.

“It means conducting investigations without fear or favor. And it means not pursuing investigations when the predication is not there,” Wray said during the ceremony. “That’s what the rule of law is all about ... We’ve got to maintain our independence and objectivity, staying above partisanship and politics. Because that’s what the American people expect, and I think that’s what they deserve.” 

The address comes after Wray has faced multiple accusations of partisanship, specifically as it relates to Trump, who nominated him for the position in 2017. One of the biggest scandals occurred when the FBI raided Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022.

Wray thanked his colleagues at the bureau, and members of the Justice Department, intelligence community, and others present at the ceremony. 

“Our most important asset is our people—all of you," Wray said. "You are what makes the FBI the extraordinary organization it is. For more than 116 years, the American people have seen you rise to the challenge, again and again, to keep our nation safe. And day after day after day, I’m inspired by the caliber and the character of the men and women in the FBI’s ranks.” 

Wray added that the FBI's work could be challenging, but said the bureau's values, principles, and strength are what enables it to tackle those challenges. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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