FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resign in January 2025, before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Wray, who still had three years left in his 10-year term, said after much thought, he decided stepping down was the best choice for the FBI. In his statement, Wray explained that leaving the job would help keep the FBI focused on its mission without getting caught up in political issues.

“The resignation of Christopher Wray is a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

“Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America,” The President-elect added.

Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, had already chosen his loyal supporter, Kash Patel, to replace Wray. Although Trump appointed Wray in 2017, his opinion of the FBI director had changed over the years, especially after the FBI raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 to recover classified documents. Trump was indicted over the incident, but the case was dismissed by a judge he had appointed.

“In terms of how we do the work, we’ve got to maintain our independence and objectivity — staying above partisanship and politics,” he said. “That’s what the American people expect of us and that’s what they deserve.”

Wray emphasized that his decision to resign was made to protect the integrity of the FBI. He said stepping down would help avoid further political conflict while ensuring the bureau stays true to its values and important work.

Patel, who worked as a national security advisor and defense official during Trump’s first term, is known for his strong support of Trump and his critical views of the FBI. He has even written a book accusing the government of trying to undermine Trump with a so-called “deep state” of biased officials.

In a post on social media, Trump has criticized law enforcement for using their power against innocent people, claiming that many may never fully recover from the damage caused by these actions.

“The director of the FBI is responsible for protecting the independence of the FBI from inappropriate influence in its criminal investigations.

“That independence is central to preserving the rule of law and to protecting the freedoms we as Americans hold dear,” Garland said in a statement.