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Trump Plans Major FBI Changes with Wray's Expected Ouster

 November 17, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump is preparing for an extensive overhaul of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, marking a significant shift in the agency's leadership as he prepares to take office in January.

As part of his plan, Trump is expected to dismiss FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy Director Paul Abbate, emphasizing his promise to eliminate what he has called political bias within the Bureau, as Newsmax reports.

Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017 for a 10-year term, faces an uncertain future, with discussions circulating around his potential resignation or forced removal.

Trump’s dissatisfaction stemmed partly from Wray's testimony regarding Trump’s ear injury during an assassination attempt in July, which the FBI confirmed was caused by a bullet.

The Debate Over FBI Director Wray

The law enforcement community is divided on whether Wray will opt to resign prior to his anticipated removal or if he will wait to be ousted by Trump. Stuart Kaplan, a former FBI agent, expressed his loss of confidence in Wray, citing various issues.

On the other hand, Tom Fuentes, also a former FBI assistant director, believes it’s inevitable that Wray will be replaced, although it remains uncertain if he will choose to preemptively step down.

Some view the potential ouster as part of a broader move by Trump supporters, amidst Republican accusations of Department of Justice bias against conservatives, fueled by dissatisfaction with the FBI's operations under Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Considering New Leadership for FBI

Kash Patel, a Trump adviser with strong ties to the administration, is reportedly being considered to take over as FBI director.

This potential appointment aligns with Trump's agenda to restructure the Bureau significantly, potentially extending changes beyond the senior leadership to affect lower-level civil servants within FBI field offices.

While not all details of the reorganization are clear, such moves might see the implementation of Trump’s broader law enforcement policies, scrutinizing how the FBI has operated under Democratic leadership.

Patrick Eddington from the Cato Institute highlighted challenges facing those who might be "ejected" from their roles under Trump.

He commented on the uncertainty surrounding whether Trump will target lower-tier officials as part of his restructuring plan, questioning how deep these changes will cut.

Republican Perspectives on DOJ and FBI

Matt Gaetz has been nominated by Trump for the role of attorney general, adding to the narrative that the DOJ and FBI require reform. Republicans have voiced criticisms, suggesting defunding or even dismantling parts of the FBI perceived as biased, particularly against conservatives.

The reputation of the FBI, according to Fuentes, has suffered under both Biden’s presidency and Christopher Wray's leadership, which some say has proven to be biased, especially concerning investigations into Trump’s allies and conservative figures.

Potential Impact on FBI Operations

The proposed changes to the FBI under Trump's direction raise questions about the agency’s future direction. These adjustments promise to not only alter leadership but potentially impact the core functioning and strategic goals of the FBI moving forward.

Christopher Wray’s current standing, juxtaposed with the potential shift in leadership, suggests a challenging period for the agency as it navigates these transitions. The power dynamics within the FBI and broader DOJ could see significant shifts, impacting everything from policy to personnel management.

As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again, the anticipated changes within the FBI highlight his ongoing commitment to reshape parts of the federal government, reflecting broader efforts to address what he perceives as politically motivated elements within established institutions.

The unfolding developments set the stage for a period of transformational change within one of America’s key law enforcement agencies.