House Democrat Torches Christopher Wray for Resigning: ‘Abandonment of the FBI’ Exposes It to Trump’s ‘Political Purge’

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) slammed FBI Director Christopher Wray for deciding to step aside before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Thursday, accusing him of abandoning the bureau and opening it up to a “political purge” during an appearance on CNN.

Wray reached his decision after Trump announced his intention to replace him with Kash Patel before the end of his 10-year term, arguing that a resignation would keep the FBI out of politics, whereas forcing Trump to fire him might politicize it further.

“He [Wray] is suggesting that resigning helps to take the politics out of the FBI. I was told by some sources at DOJ that there is concern that by resigning, he’s doing the opposite,” mused Dana Bash.

“He’s setting precedent that the FBI director is political. Meaning the term of a president ends, they get a new director, which is not the case. It’s a ten-year term. What’s your view?” she asked Connolly.

“I tend toward that view. I, maybe, you know, Director Wray is right that by removing himself, he removes a target, but he’s going to be replaced with a partisan hack who has no real experience with the FBI, or for that matter law enforcement writ large,” answered Connolly. “And I think for the rank-and-file FBI, I think his decision to resign prematurely under pressure is tantamount to abandonment, abandonment of the FBI and abandonment of them and their protections, exposing them to a political purge.”

“Wow. That’s a big statement,” observed Bash. “Why do you feel that way?”

“I think Trump has made it very clear that he sees the FBI as the enemy, which is an absurd proposition. But nonetheless, he has propounded it, and Kash Patel has echoed it,” replied Connolly.

Watch above via CNN.