Trump’s Second Term: Will He Fire FBI Director Christopher Wray?

President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Will President-elect Donald Trump fire FBI Director Christopher Wray during his second term?

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term in January, one key question is whether he will fire FBI Director Christopher Wray. The FBI director is appointed for a 10-year term, a rule put in place after J. Edgar Hoover’s lengthy and controversial 48-year tenure. This law is meant to protect FBI directors from political pressures, but history shows it doesn’t always work that way.

If Trump does fire Wray, he would be the first president to fire two FBI directors. In 2017, Trump famously dismissed FBI Director James Comey, who was a Republican but had been appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama. At the time, Trump claimed that Comey’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election led to his decision.

Why Would Trump Fire Wray?

Firing an FBI director is no small decision. Presidents in the past, such as Bill Clinton in 1993, have removed FBI directors over personal failings or ethics violations. Clinton dismissed William Sessions after an ethics investigation, while Jimmy Carter considered firing Clarence Kelley in 1976 for minor issues that seem small by today’s standards.

However, Trump’s motivations are more about policy and differences of opinion with the FBI's role in the government. Trump has criticized Wray for not fully supporting investigations that align with his agenda, especially after the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation.

Former FBI director James Comey takes his seat at the beginning of the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on June 8, 2017. Andrew Harnik/AP.

The Comey Firing Fallout

Trump’s 2017 firing of James Comey sparked a series of events that led to the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election. While Mueller’s investigation didn’t find enough evidence to charge Trump with collusion, it did uncover several issues, including connections to Trump’s campaign team. The investigation led to criminal charges against Trump’s former associates, like Paul Manafort, who Trump later pardoned.

Trump repeatedly called the Russia investigation a “hoax” and resented the attention it drew. Mueller’s final report did not clear Trump, but it also did not accuse him of committing a crime. It’s clear that the aftermath of Comey’s firing set the stage for ongoing political tension between Trump and the FBI.

Turning on Wray

Wray, confirmed as FBI director in 2017, was expected to remain independent. However, Trump became increasingly frustrated with Wray, especially over his lack of support for special counsel John Durham, who was tasked with investigating the origins of the Russia probe.

Then-special counsel Robert Mueller makes a statement about the Russia investigation on May 29, 2019, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump has often expressed frustration with the FBI’s leadership, believing that loyalty to him is paramount. His desire for more control over the Department of Justice, including the FBI, reflects his broader vision of bringing the agency closer under presidential control—something not seen in the past century since efforts were made to protect it from political influence.

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What’s at Stake?

Trump’s actions regarding the FBI are part of a larger pattern where he seeks to reshape institutions that he believes don’t align with his political goals. Whether or not he fires Wray, the question of the FBI’s independence will remain a key issue throughout his second term, as he seeks to replace those who don’t show loyalty with individuals who will.

In this 2017 photo, then-President Donald Trump sits with FBI Director Christopher Wray in Quantico, Virginia. Evan Vucci/AP/File.

With Wray’s future uncertain, the broader question for American citizens is how the FBI will function in the years ahead and whether it can remain an independent body in a time when the country is deeply divided. The outcome of this decision could set a significant precedent for the future of law enforcement agencies in the United States, and many are watching closely as Trump continues to reshape his administration.