FBI advocacy group calls on Trump, Biden to allow Wray to complete term as director

A major advocacy group for FBI agents is calling on President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to allow FBI Director Christopher Wray to complete his 10-year term leading the bureau, regardless of how the 2020 presidential election swings.

The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), which represents more than 14,000 active and retired FBI special agents, sent letters to the two presidential candidates praising Wray for his professionalism and asking that he be allowed to stay in the top post to help boost “stability, credibility, and integrity” at the FBI.

“Collectively, our members strongly support Director Wray continuing his ten-year term,” FBIAA President Brian O’Hare wrote to Trump and Biden. “FBI Special Agents respect Director Wray’s leadership and look forward to continuing to work with him to protect this great country from national security and criminal threats.”

Wray took over the top job at the bureau in August 2017.

O’Hare, who highlighted that FBIAA represents more than 90 percent of active-duty special agents, argued that it is important to insulate the FBI chief from partisan politics.

“Director Wray operates independently from partisan activities, and his nomination and acceptance of the position were predicated on that fact. He has not led the Bureau in a political manner, and politics should not determine his fate as Director,” O’Hare wrote, arguing that removing an FBI director could lead to instability and impact FBI operations, particularly just after a presidential election. 

“This country needs stability in leadership of the Bureau during these challenging times, and creating upheavals at the Bureau after the elections can only undermine the goal of protecting the safety and security of our country,” he added.

The letter comes amid speculation and reports that Wray is on the chopping block if Trump wins another term in office. 

Trump is reportedly angry that Wray didn’t wade into political matters, like launching a formal probe into the business dealings of his political opponent’s son, Hunter Biden, or firing officials tied to the 2016 Russia probe that Trump has alleged have acted improperly.

Such criticism from the Trump campaign has also sent questions swirling whether Biden would consider keeping Wray on if he wins the White House, as Wray has also received praise from other intelligence experts for refraining from wading into political matters.