FBI Leadership in Crisis: Wray Resigns Following Grassley’s Explosive Allegations and Inspector General Report
Christopher Wray’s resignation on December 11 as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) wasn’t unexpected, as it comes just a couple days after a Senator Chuck Grassley letter that ripped the FBI and Wray, as well as Wray’s Deputy, Paul Abbate. Between Grassley’s allegations and today’s J6 report, Wray is leaving his post none too late.
Grassley’s Letter: The Catalyst for Change?
Grassley is the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. The December 9 letter to Wray sets forth a list of specific failures that he claims undermine the FBI’s integrity:
- Whistleblower Retaliation and Neglect
Grassley referenced whistleblower allegations that described retaliation and a pervasive culture of fear within the FBI. He underscored instances where whistleblowers provided critical information about internal misconduct, only to have their concerns dismissed or ignored.
“The FBI leadership has repeatedly failed to protect those who come forward in good faith,” Grassley wrote, calling this an affront to the laws designed to encourage transparency within federal agencies.
- Failure to Respond to Oversight Requests
Grassley’s letter described a pattern of stonewalling by the FBI when responding to legitimate congressional oversight. Requests for information on topics ranging from internal sexual misconduct allegations to security lapses in vetting Afghan evacuees went unanswered for months—or, in some cases, years.
Grassley concluded that this persistent failure to cooperate with Congress “creates an appearance that the Bureau operates above the law.”
- Double Standards in High-Profile Investigations
Grassley also criticized what he described as disparate treatment in politically charged investigations. His letter pointed to significant differences in how the FBI approached inquiries into figures like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, suggesting political bias influenced investigative decisions.
“The American people deserve confidence that justice is applied equally.”
January 6 Failures: The Horowitz Report
While Grassley’s letter was already causing ripples, Inspector General Horowitz’s report, released today, adds to some of the legitimate concerns about the FBI. The report examined the Bureau’s handling of intelligence and confidential human sources (CHSs) leading up to the events of January 6, 2021. It cites:
- Underutilized Intelligence Resources: The FBI had at least 26 confidential human sources in Washington, D.C., on January 6, including individuals embedded with groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Despite this, the Bureau failed to piece together a cohesive threat assessment. Grassley’s letter described this as a “failure of imagination and leadership.”
- Lack of Proper Canvassing: Horowitz found that the FBI did not issue a formal canvass of its field offices to gather intelligence before January 6—a step considered routine for high-profile events. Grassley highlighted this oversight, noting it undermined coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
- Informant Activities on January 6: Four FBI informants entered the Capitol during the riot, while others breached restricted areas. Grassley stopped short of accusing the FBI of complicity but suggested that its internal controls over informants were woefully inadequate.
So, as the dust settles on Christopher Wray’s resignation, attention has shifted to the future of FBI leadership. President-elect Donald John Trump’s nomination to be the FBI Director is Kash Patel. With experience at the Department of Justice, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and in senior intelligence roles, Patel is certainly highly qualified. JSOC is no-joke. Here’s wishing Patel the best as he takes on this critical role at a pivotal moment for the FBI, as America sees a new morning.
Wow, look at this story from PJ Media: “If you assumed Christopher Wray’s resignation meant a quiet exit, think again. Reports suggest Wray is actively promoting loyalists within the bureau, embedding establishment figures even deeper into the FBI. The move appears to be a calculated effort to sabotage Kash Patel’s expected plans to overhaul the agency and implement meaningful reforms at the nation’s top law enforcement institution.
Sources within the bureau said Mr. Wray has begun promoting employees among the senior executive service, those who serve within the bureau’s leadership. These sources described this as an effort to burrow establishment figures deeper within the FBI.
Sources said a plan is being formulated to delay the new FBI director’s entry into the agency for three to four months.
Given the FBI’s tense history with Mr. Trump since the 2016 presidential campaign, such a strategy is risky.
